First state opts out of broadband public safety network

CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire is the first state to say it will opt out of the nationwide public safety communications system known as FirstNet.

Every state and U.S. territory must decide by Dec. 28 whether to opt in to the broadband network for first responders being built by AT&T or come up with their own systems. More than 30 states have chosen the FirstNet contract.

New Hampshire’s Republican Gov. Chris Sununu announced his decision Thursday at the Twin Mountain state police barracks.

He said contracting with a company called Rivada instead will allow the state to retain more control over the project. Law enforcement agencies supported his decision, but a state business group said the state shouldn’t take on such a big risk with an unproven company.