Economic Impact of FirstNet Band 14 Radio Access Network

This report is a technical document that estimates the economic and social impact of the FirstNet Band 14 Radio Access Network (RAN) development from 2017 to 2023. It outlines the collaboration between the First Responder Network Authority and AT&T, focusing on the deployment of a dedicated broadband network for public safety communications. The report details the investment of approximately $6.5 billion in the network, which resulted in an increase of $8.0 billion in net economic output and $5.6 billion in wages and salaries across various industries. It also presents the average creation of 13,877 jobs per year during this period, primarily in the construction sector. The methodology employed includes the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’s Regional Input–Output Modeling System (RIMS II), which quantifies the direct, indirect, and induced effects of the RAN development. The findings provide a comprehensive view of the economic impact of FirstNet on public safety operations and the wireless communication market.