RESTON, Va., Oct. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Indiana is
modernizing communications technology for its first responders.
Today, Governor Eric J. Holcomb
announced his decision to accept
the FirstNet and AT&T* plan to deliver a
wireless broadband network to the state's public safety community.
The FirstNet network will bring advanced tools to help Indiana's first responders save lives and
protect communities.
"Indiana's first responders
need fast, accurate information to keep Hoosiers safe," Gov.
Holcomb said. "This new communications network will help those on
the front lines coordinate better and faster to serve and protect
our citizens and communities."
AT&T, in a public-private partnership with FirstNet, will
build, operate and maintain a highly secure wireless broadband
communications network for Indiana'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 will transform the way Indiana'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 Indianapolis 500 or
professional football games that attract thousands of visitors each
year.
- Create an efficient communications experience for public safety
personnel in agencies and jurisdictions across the state during
natural disasters like the series of tornadoes in 2012 that damaged
communities in five counties across the state.
- Expand network coverage across the state, benefitting first
responders and residents throughout the state's rural areas and
providing modern communications and data sharing to help increase
first responders' safety.
- 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.
"This network will prevent communication difficulties and
inefficiencies in times of crisis and confusion," Integrated Public
Safety Commission (IPSC) Executive Director David Vice said. "Indiana has conducted an unprecedented effort
to reach out to public safety officials and decision makers across
the state to ensure FirstNet is right for our state."
FirstNet and AT&T worked collaboratively with the IPSC to
address Indiana's needs and
concerns. Through this close collaboration, FirstNet and
AT&T crafted a plan to meet Indiana's unique communications needs,
including:
- Expanding rural coverage beyond what is currently
available.
- Offering services at compelling prices.
"Governor Holcomb's decision today will enhance public safety
communications across the state," said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth. "We are pleased to deliver a plan
that meets Indiana's unique needs
and look forward to continuing to work with the state to put
cutting-edge, life-saving technology in the hands of first
responders working to keep Indiana's communities safe."
The decision enables FirstNet and AT&T to begin creating an
entirely new wireless ecosystem for public safety communications.
Indiana's first responder
subscribers will have immediate access to quality of service and
priority access 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 first responder subscribers,
including fire and rescue services, law enforcement, emergency
medical services, emergency management and 9-1-1 personnel, will
have dedicated access to the network when and where they need it –
24/7/365, like their mission.
"Indiana's first responders
will soon have a better, more reliable way to share crucial
information during emergencies thanks to this partnership," said
AT&T Indiana President Bill
Soards. "Hoosiers will also benefit from the network
investment and job creation that is likely to follow – all without
additional taxpayer dollars."
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.