AT&T is known as a cyclical spender when it comes to wireless network infrastructure, and the carrier’s $6.5 billion FirstNet award is expected to swing the spending pendulum in a positive direction. AT&T will need to add equipment to its towers to support the dedicated FirstNet spectrum, but it won’t happen right away.
Before it can start deployments, AT&T has to present a network plan to each U.S. state. These plans are due this fall, and each state will have 90 days to decide whether to accept AT&T’s plan. States that want to opt out will have another 180 days to come up with their own plans for networks that must be compatible with the national FirstNet network AT&T is building.
