Gov. Bryant announces opt. in to FirstNet nationwide public safety broadband network

Mississippi becomes 46th state to make FirstNet ‘opt-in’ announcement

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant today announced that he has accepted the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) deployment plan offered by FirstNet and AT&T on behalf of his state, making Mississippi the 46th state—not including three territories—to “opt-in” to the FirstNet system by today’s deadline.

“I’ve determined this is the best deal with the least amount of risk for taxpayers,” Bryant said in a prepared statement. “It will provide our first responders with the tools they need to keep Mississippians safe.”

AT&T will build the FirstNet RAN in “opt-in” states or territories at no cost to each jurisdiction, although local public-safety entities will be responsible for paying subscription costs and end-user device expenses. However, the law that established FirstNet stipulates that individual public-safety agencies and potential first-responder users are not required to subscribe to the FirstNet service.

“Thanks to Gov. Bryant’s opt-in decision, first responders in Mississippi will now have access to the pioneering communications tools made possible with FirstNet,” Mayo Flynt, president of AT&T Mississippi, said in a prepared statement. “It’s an honor to help bring FirstNet to Mississippi and to its dedicated public-safety community.”