The Government Accountability Office urged the First Responder Network Authority in June to consider tribal stakeholders’ concerns regarding the future Public-Safety Broadband Network and evaluate long-term staffing requirements for the effort.
GAO said in a report published Thursday that FirstNet has opened a test lab for public safety devices and applications in a move to address some challenges and concerns prior to deployment in the network.
The government watchdog agency added that FirstNet has created offices to manage its network contractor as well as established policies and procedures for contract administration guidance, but the agency has not yet established long-term projections of staffing needs for offices.
Some FirstNet stakeholders contacted by GAO have voiced their concerns regarding the delivery of services in rural areas, buildings and underground, the network’s resiliency and cybersecurity as well as the management of frameworks for user identity, access management and user credentials.
AT&T will design, develop, evolve, operate and produce the FirstNet Public-Safety Broadband Network, noted GAO.