RESTON, Va., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The First
Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) delivered official notice of
State Plans to governors today. Governors will have 90 days –
until Dec. 28 – to decide whether to
accept the FirstNet/AT&T* plan for deploying the nationwide
public safety broadband network or initiate the process to have the
state take on the responsibility for deploying its own Radio Access
Network (RAN) that must be interoperable with the FirstNet
network.
This key milestone follows delivery of updated State Plans to
the states and territories last week. FirstNet and AT&T
initially released build-out plans in June
2017 – 3 months ahead of schedule – and have since consulted
with the states, territories, and the District of Columbia to refine those plans
based on the feedback received.
"These plans will unlock innovation and create next-generation
tools to help first responders save lives and protect communities
across the U.S.," said FirstNet CEO Mike
Poth. "As the governors look to make their decisions, we
will continue to work closely with the states to ensure the network
meets the needs of their first responders."
The governor of each state and territory has the option to:
- Adopt the FirstNet plan to build the network in his or her
state or territory, which shifts all responsibility and costs for
deploying, operating, maintaining, and improving the network to
FirstNet and AT&T ("opt in"); or
- Elect to take on the risk, responsibility and costs associated
with building, operating, maintaining, and improving their own RAN
("opt out").
If a state does not take any action on its updated State Plan by
Dec. 28, the state will automatically
opt in to the FirstNet network. FirstNet will then issue a task
order for AT&T to begin deploying the RAN portion of the
network in the state.
Twenty-four states and territories have already chosen to opt in
to the FirstNet/AT&T plan for deploying the FirstNet network.
Most have cited low risk, expanded coverage, increased network
capacity, and immediate access to mission-critical capabilities as
key drivers behind their opt-in decisions.
"Connectivity underlies everything first responders do," said
Chris Sambar, senior vice president, AT&T – FirstNet. "That's
why they've spent years advocating for access to modern
communications capabilities. We're honored so many U.S. states and
territories have already entrusted us to make these life-saving
tools available to their first responders. We look forward to
continuing to work with states and territories as they make
decisions on how to best deliver the most important public safety
innovation of their lifetime."
These decisions will bring first responders across the country
one step closer to the nationwide network solution they deserve.
FirstNet and AT&T will continue our mission to give public
safety access to the interoperability, reliability and innovation
they need to help keep themselves safe and their communities
secure.
For more information on a governor's decision, go to
firstnet.gov/the-governors-decision-media-kit. Opt-in updates can
be tracked here: firstnet.gov. For information on subscribing to
FirstNet, please go to FirstNet.com.
About FirstNet
The First Responder Network Authority
(FirstNet) is an independent authority within the U.S. Department
of Commerce. Established in 2012, its mission is to ensure the
building, deployment, and operation of the nationwide, broadband
network that equips first responders and other public safety
personnel 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.