FirstNet Authority Board Approves FY23 Operations, Network Investment Budget

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board today approved a $358 million budget package to fund the agency’s operations and potential network investments in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). Meeting today in Los Angeles, the Board allocated the majority of the FY23 budget for enhancements and upgrades to FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network.

“This action paves the way for the FirstNet Authority to continue to deliver and enhance the network that first responders across the country have come to trust and rely on for emergencies and natural disasters,” said FirstNet Authority Board Chair Stephen Benjamin. “The budget enables the FirstNet Authority to plan for future capabilities on the network, so it evolves with technology and delivers the tools public safety needs to keep themselves and their communities safe.”

During today’s quarterly Board meeting, the FirstNet Authority Board unanimously approved Resolution 114, which allocates $84 million for the FirstNet Authority’s operating budget in FY23 and provides an additional $84 million in reserves for operations. Importantly, the budget also includes $190 million for investments in support of FirstNet network enhancements, such as coverage and emerging technologies.

The FirstNet Authority has a self-sustaining business model that enables it to fund agency operations and continually improve the network through the collection of fees from AT&T, its network contractor. FirstNet serves first responders in 21,800 agencies and organizations in every state and territory in the United States, with 3.7 million connections on the network.