RESTON, Va., Sept. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Louisiana is
putting game-changing communications technology within reach of its
first responders. Today, Governor John Bel
Edwards 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
Louisiana's first responders save
lives and protect communities.
"The entire State of Louisiana
will benefit from this decision," said Governor John Bel Edwards. "From natural disasters like
flooding and hurricanes, to other planned events like Mardi Gras, hosting Super Bowls or other large
sporting events, Louisiana has
many unique times when communications systems can become strained.
We will be working with our partners at FirstNet and AT&T on
this communications network which means deploying a true
interoperable nationwide system for public safety. The sharing of
instant information will only become more critical in the future.
There is a lot to be done, but the system will ultimately help
protect our citizens and first responders."
AT&T, in a public-private partnership with FirstNet, will
build, operate and maintain a highly secure wireless broadband
communications network for Louisiana'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.
"FirstNet is honored to serve Louisiana's public safety community," said
FirstNet CEO Mike Poth. "Governor
Edwards' decision will deliver modern communication technology to
first responders throughout the Pelican State, making communities
safer and secure. FirstNet will continue to work with the state to
ensure the network delivers the coverage, services and innovation
that public safety needs."
The decision enables FirstNet and AT&T to begin creating an
entirely new wireless ecosystem for public safety communications.
Louisiana'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 Edwards' decision to opt-in to FirstNet opens the door
for first responders in every city and parish in Louisiana to take advantage of the nation's
only network purpose-built just for them," said Chris Sambar,
senior vice president, AT&T – FirstNet. "This is the platform
for public safety, giving Louisiana's first responders the tools and
technologies they need to communicate every day and in every
emergency. And through our commitment with FirstNet, public safety
can be confident that this network will deliver what they need
today, tomorrow and 25 years from now."
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.