Management Alert: The NPSBN Band 14 Signal Strength Does Not Consistently Provide Adequate Band 14 Service for First Responders

Our ongoing audit objective is to determine whether First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) is ensuring that AT&T is achieving the desired results for Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) coverage for each state and territory. During our fieldwork, we observed an issue that poses a risk of overstating the coverage area and services the network provides. FirstNet Authority measures NPSBN Band 14 coverage at a signal strength over 15 times less powerful than the one AT&T (the NPSBN contractor) uses to report its commercial non-Band 14 network to FirstNet Authority. This could indicate that the total area AT&T reports as Band 14 coverage is overstated, and the services provided in the coverage area are not sufficient to allow first responders to effectively respond to emergencies. This difference can adversely impact NPSBN services and ultimately affect public safety users’ ability to communicate with each other during emergencies. We believe that management attention is warranted to ensure that the NPSBN provides consistent, reliable service to public safety users.