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diff --git a/_posts/2012-08-20-interoperability-and-firstnet.markdown b/_posts/2012-08-20-interoperability-and-firstnet.markdown index 50e41e2..b6f74ec 100644 --- a/_posts/2012-08-20-interoperability-and-firstnet.markdown +++ b/_posts/2012-08-20-interoperability-and-firstnet.markdown @@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ redirect_from: "/writing/interoperability-and-firstnet/" The United States is finally putting real effort into building a nationwide public safety network with [FirstNet], the First Responder Network Authority. FirstNet has been tasked by Congress to build, deploy, and maintain a nationwide broadband network for use by public safety agencies in order to provide completely interoperable communications. +<!--more--> + While I applaud this effort, there are several potential issues that should be addressed. To begin with, a centrally controlled network of this scale would present large reliability problems. In numerous occasions, communities that have rolled out digital or trunked radio systems with many system components have had failures due to a tower or controller failing, leaving all users in the affected area with no way to communicate with each other or with users in other parts of the system. This is not only a risk for naturally occurring phenomena, such as a power outage or [overheating], but also create centralized targets for terrorist attacks. If an attack was planned, it would be relatively simple to first bring down the local tower, thereby preventing all communication in the area. Therefore, a high degree of redundancy must be implemented, as well as physical infrastructure safeguards, which are both technically complex and expensive. It is not clear whether the new broadband system would completely replace all existing public safety communication systems, or if it would simply be used to supplement them in situations where inter-agency coordination is required. The question also arises as to which agencies will use the system. In addition to the many public and governmental agencies that would be involved in the response to a major incident, there are also many <abbr title="Non-governmental entity">NGO</abbr>s, such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army that are often involved. Would they be permitted to use the network? |