Short answer
FirstNet does. The router (customer premises equipment, or CPE) supplied with a FirstNet broadband link is a FirstNet-managed device that remains FirstNet property and is covered by FirstNet's maintenance and replacement policies.
In detail: Who owns the business broadband router
Managing the router is how FirstNet monitors the link and resolves faults quickly. Practical implications:
- The router is added to FirstNet's PRTG monitoring platform for up/down alerting and bandwidth monitoring from day one.
- FirstNet configures and tests it at installation, and the NOC uses it to diagnose faults with the carrier.
- Public IP addresses allocated to the service also remain FirstNet property.
- If you run your own firewall, it connects behind the FirstNet router on an Ethernet handoff.
- Customer-supplied network equipment must be ICASA type-approved and approved by FirstNet's engineering team.
Because FirstNet owns and maintains the router, a faulty unit is handled under FirstNet's replacement policy. Your LAN, internal Wi-Fi and firewall configuration remain your responsibility unless they have been separately scoped with FirstNet.
Source: FirstNet Nationwide Last-Mile Connectivity service page →