RESTON, Va., Sept. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Idaho is
advancing communications capabilities for first responders. Today,
Governor Butch Otter announced his
decision to accept the FirstNet and AT&T* plan
to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state's public
safety community. FirstNet will bring advanced technologies that
will help Idaho's first responders
save lives and protect communities.
"Idaho is pleased to be joining
with other states in participating in FirstNet's deployment of the
Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network," Governor Otter said.
"Timely, reliable and accurate information is critically important
to ensuring that our first responders can most effectively protect
our citizens. This plan provides us with the opportunity to utilize
the best technology available to help maximize public safety in
Idaho and across the nation."
AT&T, in a public-private partnership with FirstNet, will
build, operate and maintain a highly secure wireless broadband
communications network for Idaho's
public safety community at no cost to the state. The FirstNet
network will drive innovation and create an entire system of
modernized devices, apps and tools for first responders.
"Advanced communications are critical to first responder safety
and help make us more efficient and effective when we respond to
calls for assistance from our communities in their times of
need," said Pocatello Fire Chief
David Gates. "FirstNet will deliver
that advanced communications capability every day. Natural
disasters – like the fires we're fighting right now – know no
boundaries. With FirstNet, we can be nimble and adaptable
thanks to interoperable communications tools that will give us
improved information, coordination and collaboration in
emergencies."
FirstNet will transform the way Idaho's fire, police, EMS and other public
safety personnel communicate and share information. Specifically,
it 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 the Caldwell Night Rodeo that attracts more than 40,000
participants annually.
- Create an efficient communications experience for public safety
personnel in agencies and jurisdictions across the state during
natural disasters, including seasonal wildfires that devastate
Idahoan communities, like the 2015 Soda Fires that burned over
256,000 acres across the Rocky Mountains and Pacific
Northwest.
- Enhance and expand network coverage across Idaho's diverse landscape, benefitting first
responders and residents throughout the state's rural areas
including mountainous and tribal lands.
- Provide first responders with access to dedicated network
assets that can be deployed for additional coverage and support
when needed.
- Drive infrastructure investments and create jobs across the
state.
- Usher in a new wave of dependable innovations for first
responders. 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.
FirstNet and AT&T designed Idaho's network solution with direct input
from the state and its Public Safety Communications Commission,
helping to address the state's unique communications needs,
including:
- Expanding rural coverage, particularly outside of the
Boise area.
- Providing Idaho's public
safety volunteers with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solutions.
- Expediting deployment to improve the availability of LTE
services throughout the state.
- Implementing FirstNet customer care and support to recognize
the unique needs of first responders.
"FirstNet remains focused on delivering the coverage and
reliability that emergency responders need across America,
including in rural communities," said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth. "Governor Otter's decision to join
FirstNet shows his strong commitment to public safety, and we look
forward to continuing to work with him and the public safety
community to deliver the network that Idaho's first responders need every day and in
every emergency."
The decision enables FirstNet and AT&T to begin creating an
entirely new wireless ecosystem for public safety communications.
Idaho'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.
"Governor Otter and the Idaho Public Safety Communications
Commission have worked hand in hand with us so that the FirstNet
network that's built in Idaho
delivers on our promise," said Tara Thue, director –
AT&T Idaho. "I commend General Brad Richy and
his team for all of their leadership in this process and
collaboration with our team as we make FirstNet a reality for
Idaho's public safety
community."
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. 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
and on YouTube at youtube.com/att.
© 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 Q1 + Q2 2017
across 121 markets.
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SOURCE AT&T Inc.