RESTON, Va., Dec. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstNet, the
nationwide public safety broadband network, now features ruthless
preemption (preemption) services for first responder subscribers
across the country. This highly anticipated, specialized offering
is now available to first responders in states and territories that
have opted in to the First Responder Network Authority* and
AT&T** plan and have subscribed to FirstNet service.
Preemption is a mission-critical feature that enables first
responders on FirstNet to communicate and coordinate during
emergencies, large events or other situations where commercial
networks can become congested.
"As a first responder on 9/11, I experienced the communications
challenges that can happen in large emergencies as networks become
congested and overwhelmed," said Fairfax
County Fire and Rescue Chief Richard
Bowers. "Now, with the launch of preemption on FirstNet, for
the first time, public safety is ensured a 'fast lane' to connect.
FirstNet will provide reliability, confidence and ability for first
responders to be able to communicate during emergency operations.
Virginia was first in to opt in,
and we're all in to ensure emergency communications are seamless
for first responders."
Preemption is immediately available in opt-in states at no
additional charge to current and future FirstNet subscribers who
are primary users. Primary users include fire, law enforcement,
emergency medical services, emergency managers, dispatch and Public
Safety Answering Points.
Preemption will enhance priority services already available on
FirstNet. Priority moves first responders to the front of the
"communications line," prioritizing their network
needs. Preemption goes a step further to make sure first
responders can access FirstNet when they need to, 24/7/365. When
the line becomes crowded, it shifts non-emergency traffic to
another line, freeing up space for first responders to easily get
through. Calls or texts to 911 will never be shifted from the
network.
"First responders have been very clear about their immediate
need for preemption. During the collaborative conversations that
shaped our FirstNet plan, preemption continually topped the list of
mission-critical tools first responders wanted to see first on the
network," said Chris Sambar, senior vice president, AT&T –
FirstNet. "So, we promised to make it available by the end of the
year. And we're proud to honor that commitment. This is
game-changing for first responders, and as far as we know, this is
the first-ever launch of preemption at this scale in the
world."
With the power of priority and preemption, first responders will
no longer have to compete with non-emergency users for a
connection. They'll be able to reliably connect to the network to
get the information they need when they need it. Voice and text
messages, images, videos, location information, data from apps and
more will be supported in real time, helping first responders
quickly work together to save lives.
"The launch of preemption is a tremendous achievement for public
safety personnel – who have asked for, fought for, and needed this
solution for years," said First Responder Network Authority CEO
Mike Poth. "We are pleased that
FirstNet is the first broadband network to deliver this capability
to public safety."
An opt-out state will not be able to offer its first responders
access to a similar capability until its alternative plan is
approved and Band 14 is deployed, which will likely take
years.
For more information on FirstNet, please go to
FirstNet.gov/mediakit and att.com/FirstResponderNews. For more
about the value FirstNet will bring to public safety, please go to
FirstNet.com.
To learn more about the core team AT&T is working with to
help achieve the FirstNet mission – Motorola Solutions, General
Dynamics, Sapient Consulting and Inmarsat Government – go here.
*About The First Responder Network Authority
The
First Responder Network Authority 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
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**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 Q2 + Q3 2017
across 121 markets.
SOURCE AT&T Inc.