FirstNet Authority Board Approves $82 Million Budget For 2020

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board today approved an $82 million budget for operations in Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20), with a focus on supporting public safety engagement, continued oversight of the deployment of the nationwide public safety broadband network, and future investments in the network.

“The FirstNet Authority is an organization solely focused on public safety’s critical communications needs and what we can do with FirstNet to help address these needs,” said FirstNet Authority Board Chair Edward Horowitz. “Today, the Board took action to support this important work as network deployment continues and we look toward future investments, programs, and activities to evolve the network with continued public safety engagement.”

During a meeting today, the FirstNet Authority Board approved Resolution 101, which allocates $82 million for the FirstNet Authority’s operating budget in FY20 and an additional $82 million in reserves for operations. The Board’s action also provides $145 million for reinvestment in support of FirstNet network enhancement, coverage, and functionality on behalf of public safety.

The approval of the FY20 budget follows the recent release of the FirstNet Authority Roadmap, a plan to guide the future evolution of the FirstNet network based on public safety’s input. The FirstNet Authority will use the Roadmap to prioritize its programs, activities, and investments in network improvements to ensure first responders have the communications tools they need to help them save lives and protect communities. The Roadmap supports the FirstNet Authority’s Investment Principles, which state that investments to improve the network must be derived from and benefit public safety.