RESTON, Va., Aug. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of
Governor Rick Snyder, Lt. Gov.
Brian Calley is transforming
communications and driving innovation for Michigan's first responders by "opting in" to
FirstNet. With his decision, FirstNet and AT&T* will deliver a
specialized wireless broadband network to Michigan's public safety community. This will
make Michigan the 10th
state or territory in the country to bring first responders
advanced technologies that will help them save lives and protect
communities.
"This initiative puts Michigan
at the forefront once again for public safety and public service,"
Lt. Gov. Calley said. "The ability for public safety agencies to
communicate is critical in an emergency. The enhanced capabilities
offered by FirstNet and AT&T will help ensure that those
risking their lives for our safety have the tools they need. This
effort also will enhance the availability of broadband service
across many rural areas of the state, something that Governor
Snyder and I continue to focus on as a priority for Michigan residents."
AT&T, in a public-private partnership with FirstNet, will
build, operate and maintain a highly secure wireless broadband
communications network for Michigan's public safety community at no cost
to the state for the next 25 years. The FirstNet network will drive
innovation and create an entire system of modernized devices, apps
and tools for first responders.
Michigan led a comprehensive
solicitation of potential vendors to build and maintain its
FirstNet network. Ultimately, Michigan selected the FirstNet and AT&T
public-private partnership, bringing public safety the overall best
value solution with the least risk.
The Governor and Lt. Governor are making one of the most
economical and technologically advanced decisions for the state's
first responders and the residents they serve. The FirstNet Network
will transform the way Michigan's
fire, police, EMS and other public safety personnel communicate and
share information. Specifically, FirstNet and AT&T will:
- Connect first responder subscribers to the critical information
they need in a highly secure manner when handling day-to-day
operations, responding to emergencies and supporting large events
like football games at Michigan Stadium that draw crowds of more
than 100,000 people.
- Create an efficient communications experience for public safety
personnel in agencies and jurisdictions across the state during
natural disasters. This includes severe weather similar to the
August 2014 record-setting rainfall
that caused extensive flooding in Detroit and its surrounding communities.
- Enhance network coverage in rural areas. This will benefit
first responders and residents throughout Michigan. First responders will also have
access to dedicated network deployables for additional coverage and
support when needed.
- Drive infrastructure investments and create jobs across the
state.
- Usher in a new wave of innovation that first responders can
depend on. This will create an ever-evolving set of life-saving
tools for public safety, including public safety apps, specialized
devices and Internet of Things technologies. It also carries the
potential for future integration with NextGen 9-1-1 networks and
Smart Cities' infrastructure.
"Much of the state of Michigan
is rural in nature and presents many communication challenges,"
said Michigan State Police
Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue.
"Effective and robust communication capabilities are critical to
all public safety officials and the citizens we serve."
The FirstNet solution that will be built in Michigan was designed with direct input from
the state's public safety community. FirstNet has been meeting with
Michigan officials and public
safety personnel for several years to address their unique
communication needs. This includes:
- Expanding coverage in rural and tribal areas as well as along
Michigan's waterways and
shorelines
- Helping address communications challenges along the state's
border with Canada, including key
ports and border crossings
"The Governor and Lieutenant Governor's decision to join
FirstNet comes after the state considered a number of options to
get the best solution for public safety," says FirstNet CEO
Mike Poth. "FirstNet and
AT&T are extremely pleased to have delivered the network plan
that best meets Michigan's unique
needs. We look forward to connecting first responders across
the Wolverine State's diverse landscape – including its rural and
tribal areas, as well as federal lands, border crossings and
waterways."
The decision enables FirstNet and AT&T to begin creating an
entirely new wireless ecosystem for public safety communications.
Michigan's first responder
subscribers will have immediate access to quality of service and
priority to voice and data across the existing nationwide AT&T
LTE network.
Preemption for primary users over the AT&T LTE network is
expected by year-end. This means fire, police, EMS and other public
safety workers will have dedicated access to the network when and
where they need it – 24/7/365, like their mission.
"Michigan issued a
comprehensive RFP, and the governor and lieutenant governor
ultimately decided that FirstNet and AT&T are best positioned
to deliver the coverage, value and experience that the state's
public safety community expects," said Jim
Murray, president of AT&T Michigan. "It's an honor to
serve Michigan's fire, police, EMS
and other public safety personnel. It's our mission to help these
brave men and women carry out their important mission."
For more information on FirstNet, please visit
FirstNet.gov/mediakit and att.com/FirstResponderNews. For more
about the value FirstNet will bring to public safety, please visit
FirstNet.com.
About FirstNet
The First Responder Network Authority
(FirstNet) is an independent authority within the U.S. Department
of Commerce, overseen by a 15 member Board. Chartered in 2012, its
mission is to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of the
nationwide, broadband network that equips first responders to save
lives and protect U.S. communities. Learn more at
FirstNet.gov/mediakit and follow FirstNet (@FirstNetGov) on
Facebook and Twitter for updates.
*About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions
around the globe connect with leading entertainment, business,
mobile and high speed internet services. We offer the nation's best
data network** and the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless
provider. We're one of the world's largest providers of pay TV. We
have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries.
Nearly 3.5 million companies, from small to large businesses around
the globe, turn to AT&T for our highly secure smart
solutions.
AT&T products and services are provided or offered by
subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T
brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information about
AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com.
Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at facebook.com/att
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© 2017 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service
marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated
companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of
their respective owners.
**Claim based on the Nielsen Certified Data Network Score.
Score includes data reported by wireless consumers in the Nielsen
Mobile Insights survey, network measurements from Nielsen Mobile
Performance and Nielsen Drive Test Benchmarks for Q4 2016 + Q1 2017
across 121 markets.
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SOURCE AT&T Inc.