FirstNet? (Score 1)

The U.S. could dedicate beachfront spectrum to a public safety first responder network, allocate money to its startup, and maybe even get in partnership with a major carrier to operate it. Maybe call it "FirstNet" or something catchy like that. Then government, in all of its wisdom, could avoid problems like this. But wait! They did! Twenty megahertz of prime 700 MHz spectrum, $7B in startup money, a lucrative 25-year contract to AT&T, AND six years since Congress passed the legislation. Someday it will live up to the dream. In the meantime, first responders can use AT&T's commercial network and even get priority access and pre-emption over mere mortals. But wait, further! First responders still predominantly use the pedestrian VZW network because .... wait for this ... it better covers where they need it to work. Really: Would more government fix California firefighters' expectations. Caveat emptor!