First Responder Communications Stay at the Forefront of
Innovation with 5G Upgrades, Coverage Enhancements, and
Mission-Critical Services.
SPRINGFIELD, Va., Feb. 13,
2024 /CNW/ --
Key Takeaways:
- The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) is
launching the next phase of FirstNet through a series of strategic
investments totaling more than $8
billion over 10 years.1
- Today, the FirstNet Authority and its network partner,
AT&T, join to unveil the latest network investment of
$6.3 billion, delivering full 5G
capabilities on FirstNet, expanded mission-critical services, and
enhanced coverage. The FirstNet Authority anticipates an additional
$2 billion in ongoing investments
dedicated to coverage enhancements, which is currently under
discussion by the parties.
- Starting in March, FirstNet will be the first and only wireless
network to provide America's first responders with always-on
priority and preemption across 5G, expanding to include all
AT&T 5G commercial spectrum.
- AT&T is deploying a new standalone FirstNet 5G network core
built on the latest industry standards with dedicated public safety
functionality and features.
- The FirstNet Authority and AT&T will continue to work with
public safety officials and government stakeholders to grow and
enhance the network.
What's the news? The FirstNet Authority and its
network partner, AT&T*, are announcing a major investment in
the future of public safety communications. The FirstNet
Authority's 10-year, $8 billion
investment initiative will evolve and expand FirstNet® —
America's public safety network. The FirstNet Authority plans to
invest $6.3 billion through its
network contract with AT&T and anticipates an additional
$2 billion for ongoing investments in
coverage enhancements for public safety, which is currently under
discussion by the parties. These strategic investments will expand
and evolve FirstNet so public safety stays at the forefront of
innovative, lifesaving technologies.
As public safety's partner, AT&T has already grown FirstNet
— the only network built with and for America's
first responders and the extended public safety community — to
cover more first responders than any network nationwide. With
more than 5.5 million connections and about 27,500
public safety agencies and organizations on
FirstNet,2 first responders can reliably
communicate with one another during everyday operations, big
events, emergencies in the field, and more.
This landmark announcement launches the next phase of FirstNet
with a 10-year investment initiative that will:
- Provide first responders on FirstNet with always-on
priority and preemption across all AT&T 5G commercial
spectrum bands, starting in March.
- Build thousands of new, purpose-built FirstNet cell sites
across the country – including 1,000 new sites within the next
two years. Beyond the initial $6.3
billion investment, the FirstNet Authority anticipates
additional investments over the next decade to deliver Band 14
coverage enhancements. These coverage investments will reflect
public safety factors and network considerations, all in support of
public safety response operations.
- Create a standalone 5G core to enhance current 5G
functionality with specific public safety features on FirstNet and
support the transition of public safety's Band 14 spectrum from LTE
to 5G.
- Expand mission-critical services — voice, video, data,
and location — to complement public safety's localized, voice-only
radio systems with reliable, wireless connectivity.
- Upgrade public safety's dedicated fleet of deployable
network assets with 5G connectivity to improve
operational safety, security, and resiliency.
- Ready the network to evolve beyond 5G, while remaining
focused on public safety's unique needs and emerging requirements
when implementing future technological advancements.
Why is this important? FirstNet is a catalyst for
technology and innovation for public safety. The network has
created a robust ecosystem of mission-centric apps, solutions, and
dedicated connectivity for public safety operations. This strategic
investment initiative ensures FirstNet remains at the forefront of
technology, continues to solve the communications challenges facing
public safety today, and has the flexibility to adapt to public
safety's future needs.
With the initial buildout of FirstNet complete, this investment
initiative will expand access to public safety's Band 14 spectrum
in the near term, with plans for additional coverage enhancements
on a recurring basis. The FirstNet Authority will work closely with
public safety across the states, territories, and tribal lands to
identify areas that could benefit from broader coverage. The
FirstNet Authority will take this information into account, along
with other public safety factors and network considerations, to
ensure future coverage enhancements maximize investment dollars and
make the biggest impact to public safety operations.
The transition to a full 5G network will enable FirstNet to keep
pace with current evolutions in technology and 3GPP standards-based
mission critical advancements. The planned 5G network upgrades will
generate faster speeds, increase capacity, enhance the quality of
service for FirstNet users, and drive innovations in 5G mission
critical services. Throughout this multi-year transition to a full
5G network, the existing FirstNet 4G LTE network will remain fully
operational and maintain the high level of service that first
responders have come to rely on.
This announcement does not change AT&T's financial guidance
information provided during its January
2024 earnings.
Why does public safety need a unified, standalone 5G
core? By delivering a standalone 5G core, FirstNet will be
able to evolve with public safety-specific technological
advancements in the coming years that simply aren't possible with
4G, while maintaining its always-on priority and preemption
that is critical for mission-critical communications.
5G's ability to handle large amounts of data and connect more
devices at once is essential to enabling the future of emergency
response. From using drones to transmit high-definition video
during search and rescue operations to opening the door to an
influx of Internet of Things (IoT) data that will enhance
situational awareness and improve emergency patient care, 5G is the
foundation for the future of first responder-centric
technologies.
Plus, by integrating 5G on FirstNet with 9-1-1, public safety
will be able to leverage the full potential of this technology,
allowing for a more informed and rapid response to emergencies.
What is FirstNet? FirstNet was shaped by the vision of
Congress and the first responder community following the 9/11
terrorist attacks. Built in an unprecedented public-private
partnership, FirstNet stands above commercial offerings. The
FirstNet network provides first responders with truly dedicated
coverage and capacity when they need it, unique benefits like
mission-critical services, and high-quality Band 14 spectrum to
help save lives and protect communities. The FirstNet Authority has
a legislative mandate and self-sustaining business model that
requires it to invest program generated funds back into the
network.
Where can I find more information? Visit FirstNet.gov to
learn more about the FirstNet Authority and how the federal
government is delivering on its promise to public safety. For
more about the value FirstNet is bringing to public safety, check
out FirstNet.com. And go here for more FirstNet
news.
What are people saying?
Joe
Wassel
Executive Director and CEO, FirstNet
Authority
"We are dedicated to the future of public safety
communications, and that starts with expanding and evolving
FirstNet to meet first responders' needs. With this investment, we
are ensuring FirstNet remains at the forefront of technology so
that public safety can respond smarter, safer, and more
effectively. I look forward to our continued partnership with the
public safety community and AT&T to deliver the most reliable,
innovative communications network for public safety."
Jim
Bugel
President—FirstNet, AT&T
"Our
partnership with the federal government has given us the distinct
privilege of delivering America's public safety network. FirstNet
is critical infrastructure that is reliably connecting those who
tirelessly protect and serve. With 5G, public safety will unlock
new and innovative tools to keep them mission ready — and we aren't
stopping there. Together with the FirstNet Authority, we will
continue to expand and enhance public safety's network based on
their feedback, giving them the solutions and connectivity they
need, both now and in the future. That's the FirstNet promise —
continually prioritizing first responders and the communities they
serve."
Chief John S.
Butler
International Association of Fire Chiefs
(IAFC) President and Board Chair and Fairfax County, Virginia Fire and Rescue
Chief
"The IAFC is excited about today's investment
announcement — the FirstNet Authority is listening to public
safety's needs and putting resources to action to continue to
improve the network for our nation's fire and emergency services.
We look forward to seeing how these continued improvements and
enhancements help us in our lifesaving mission every day."
1 Figure based upon ongoing sustainability
payments.
2 As of Q4 2023
About the First Responder Network Authority
The First
Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) is an independent
authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Created 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 and follow the FirstNet Authority (@FirstNetGov)
on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates.
*About AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S.
families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million
businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone
call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet
offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more
information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at
about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.
©2024 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T
Intellectual Property. FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are
registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder
Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their
respective owners.
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SOURCE AT&T