TECH - Verizon And AT&T Clash Over $14B FirstNet Spectrum Proposal | Benzinga
Major telecommunications players Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) and AT&T Inc (NYSE:T) are in conflict over a proposal to enhance services for emergency responders, a move that the former claims would result in a $14 billion advantage for the latter.
AT&T and its partners are urging regulators to allocate more wireless frequencies to FirstNet, a network established in 2017 to support emergency services.
AT&T holds a 25-year contract to manage FirstNet for the federal government, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
Competitors argue that the proposal would allow AT&T to use these airwaves for commercial purposes without cost.
Verizon, which competes for public safety contracts, called the plan a significant windfall ...