Televate LLC, a leading public safety communications and information technology consulting company, announced that the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) has contracted Televate to support phase two of the state's public safety wireless data network requirements project. This program will continue to prepare the state for NTIA grant opportunities and subsequent implementation of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN).
Televate recently completed phase one of the state's project, which delivered a needs assessment, implementation model, commercial carrier analysis, and funding report. However, prior to completing phase one of the state's program, Congress passed landmark legislation to deploy the NPSBN, governed by the newly established independent authority within NTIA, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). Furthermore, the legislation established a $135 million State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP), administered by the NTIA, to support planning activities for the NPSBN implementation.
During phase two, Televate will assist the state in preparing a "plan-the-plan" strategy to develop a plan and process to collect and assess the data required to support the NPSBN implementation and identify relevant information gaps. Phase two activities address all levels of government to determine stakeholder priorities, sustainability issues, governance, interoperability gaps and deployment support required for NPSBN implementation. A primary goal of this project is to better position the state to fully benefit from the recent legislation and ultimately provide FirstNet with a sustainable business model that meets the state's needs.
"The State of Minnesota's public safety broadband data requirements study has been recognized by other states as a strategic model for the nation and will provide insight to the NTIA's forthcoming SLIGP guidelines," said Joe Ross, Televate's co-founder and senior partner. "We applaud Minnesota's leadership in public safety communications and are excited to continue to support their broadband strategy."
