By Ed Parkinson, FirstNet Director of Government Affairs
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) held their annual conference event this week in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, bringing together key decision-makers from the tower industry to discuss wireless industry safety, big data, small-cell deployment, and more. This year marked a major milestone for the organization and its members – it is their 20th year in operation.
The NATE UNITE 20th anniversary conference provided attendees with education and marketing opportunities, as well as networking with others involved in the telecommunications industry. The expo portion of the conference also highlighted key changes in the wireless infrastructure industry over the past 20 years. In addition, NATE recently added a public safety agency membership category for members who play a vital role in rescue operations and responding to incidents that occur at tower sites and/or provide public safety services.
Given the nexus between this new membership category and the FirstNet mission, I was pleased to provide an update to NATE on FirstNet’s plans for ensuring the deployment, operation, and maintenance of the nation’s first public safety broadband network. I discussed our consultation and planning efforts to date for the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) and talked briefly about our plans to release a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) in the coming months.
I was very impressed with the large audience in attendance and especially with the variety of questions that were asked. I kept bringing the conversation back to the vital leadership role that states and territories will play throughout the development of FirstNet and encouraged the audience to reach out to their respective state single point of contacts (SPOCs). Additionally, I emphasized the importance of staying involved by contacting FirstNet, watching our upcoming board meeting, and responding to the forthcoming public notice and comment and the draft RFP.
I would like to thank NATE Executive Director Todd Schlekeway for inviting FirstNet to participate in the conference and congratulate NATE on their 20th anniversary.
Thanks,
-Ed
