FirstNet CTO optimistic for smartphone partnerships

According to FirstNet's acting Chief Technology Officer Jeff Bratcher, the organization "would love" iPhones to support the network's Band 14 spectrum, but says implementing the technology is a "chicken and egg discussion." "The device manufacturers really won't put a frequency band in unless they have the volume of quantity needed to support that," Bratcher continued. "Because it's limited space on all our phones."

The lack of Band 14-capable devices then makes it more difficult to promote the band, as users have limited options to choose from, many of which don't meet the myriad requirements needed by first responders. In addition to communicating via walkie-talkies, radios and other specialized public safety gear, Bratcher said FirstNet is already seeing first responders across the country utilizing iPhones and other smartphones to capture photos, video and audio during incidents. Bratcher said a Washington state first responder "sent us a video of one of the recent big fires they had up there, and you can see all the firefighters. They pull out their existing smartphones and were filming and using those. So from our experience and engagement with public safety, they all use commercial devices just like everyone else."