RESTON, Va., Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands is modernizing communications technology for its
first responders. Today, Governor Ralph
Deleon Guerrero Torres accepted the First Responder Network
Authority* and AT&T** plan to deliver a wireless
broadband network to the territory's public safety community.
FirstNet will bring advanced tools that will help the Northern Mariana Islands' first responders
save lives and protect communities.
AT&T, in a public-private partnership with the First
Responder Network Authority, will provide a highly secure wireless
broadband communications network for the Northern Mariana Islands' public safety
community at no cost to the territory. 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 the Northern Mariana Islands' 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 Flame Tree Arts Festival.
- Create an efficient communications experience for public safety
personnel in agencies and jurisdictions across the territory during
natural disasters, such as typhoons, storm surges and
tsunamis.
- Enhance and expand network coverage across the Northern Mariana Islands' diverse landscape,
benefitting first responders and residents throughout the
territory's rural or remote areas.
- Provide first responders with access to dedicated network
assets that can be deployed for additional coverage and support
when needed.
- Drive infrastructure investments across the territory.
- 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.
The First Responder Network Authority and AT&T designed the
Northern Mariana Islands' network
solution with direct input from the territory and its public safety
community. This helped to address the territory's unique
communications needs, including:
- Extending coverage to the areas where island topology currently
creates gaps.
- Making deployable network assets available to the
territory.
- Using existing infrastructure assets as appropriate.
- Offering feature-rich services at competitive prices.
"Today, Governor Torres made history. With his decision to join
FirstNet, we are proud to have every U.S. state and territory on
the nationwide public safety broadband network," said First
Responder Network Authority CEO Mike
Poth. "Governor Torres's decision will help enhance
emergency communications across the territory's rural and remote
areas by bringing coverage and capacity to the islands. We look
forward to continuing to work with public safety in the
Northern Mariana Islands to help
ensure that emergency first responders will have access to the most
modern and innovative tools available today."
The decision enables the First Responder Network Authority and
AT&T to begin offering an entirely new wireless ecosystem for
public safety communications. The Northern Mariana Islands' first responder
subscribers will have access to quality of service, priority and
preemption to voice and data across the FirstNet network.
"Opting in to FirstNet is a clear sign of Governor Torres's
commitment to public safety in the Northern Mariana Islands," said Stephanie Tyler, president, AT&T Pacific
Northwest. "First responders deserve the best possible
communications platform and we're honored to help deliver it for
them."
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.
*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 the Authority
(@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 have the nation's
largest and most reliable 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.
***Coverage not avail. everywhere. Based on overall coverage in
U.S. licensed/roaming areas. Reliability based on voice and data
performance from independent 3rd party data.
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-northern-mariana-islands-to-transform-communications-for-public-safety-governor-torres-approves-buildout-plan-for-first-responder-network-300585309.html
SOURCE AT&T Inc.