Verizon skips California RFP bid, claims FirstNet, AT&T are 'Rigging the Game' [telecom]

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By Donny Jackson

Verizon reverses its public stance and does not bid on California's procurement seeking an alternative vendor to FirstNet in a potential "opt-out" scenario, citing "onerous" mandates from FirstNet and claiming that FirstNet and contractor AT&T are "rigging the game to stifle true competition."

Last month, California issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking vendors willing to build and maintain the LTE radio access network (RAN), if Gov. Jerry Brown decides to pursue the FirstNet "opt-out" alternative by the Dec. 28 deadline. The deadline for California bids was Wednesday. California officials told IWCE's Urgent Communications that state policy prohibits the release of the number of bidders or the identity of bidders during an active procurement.