DALLAS, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- What's the
news? FirstNet, Built with AT&T* – America's
public safety network – is driving innovation in lifesaving, public
safety technology. Now, first responders have access to 4 new
mission-driven solutions exclusively available to all FirstNet
subscribers: FirstNet® MegaRange™, Z-Axis, FirstNet Compact Rapid
Deployables™ and Land-Mobile-Radio (LMR) interoperability for
FirstNet Push-to-Talk (PTT). And, for the 3rd
consecutive year, Frost & Sullivan recognizes AT&T for
driving visionary innovation in public safety by introducing
'smart' solutions that cater to the evolving demands of first
responders.
- FirstNet MegaRange™: Following 3GPP and
FCC standards, FirstNet is the only network where public safety can
take advantage of the highest power class signaling available in
the U.S. with FirstNet MegaRange™, the high-power user equipment
(HPUE) solution exclusively available on Band 14. For rural, remote
and maritime first responders, MegaRange™ can significantly
improve connectivity especially at the edge of network coverage.
And for urban and suburban responders, this can help solve the
common challenge of difficult coverage spots. The stronger signal
may better assist those connecting from hard-to-reach places like
building shadows, parking garages, basements, elevators, and
stairwells, helping first responders communicate inside and out.
Learn everything you need to know about FirstNet MegaRange™
here.
- Z-Axis for FirstNet: Imagine looking at a map and being
able to know what street corner you're standing on, as well as how
high up in the building you are. And then, being able to know where
and how high up in the building all your team members are. That's
the vision behind our Z-Axis capability. Think of it as the
"vertical axis" view added to current two-dimension situational
awareness applications. Now available in more than 105 markets
across the country, including Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los
Angeles, Philadelphia, and
San Francisco, with additional
markets added weekly, public safety has a new level of indoor
spatial awareness not previously available using traditional
GPS-based location methods. Intrepid Networks' Response for
FirstNet, a situational awareness platform, is the first to bring
our Z-Axis capability to market. Check out how this will help
communities nationwide here.
- Compact Rapid Deployable (CRD): Public safety agencies
can now also purchase their own deployable network assets. These
agency-owned Cells on Wheels (COW) can be deployed by a single
person within a matter of minutes. CRDs link to FirstNet via
satellite and do not rely on commercial power availability, making
them ideal for use during emergencies in rural and remote areas, as
well as areas where communications may be temporarily unavailable.
Think search and rescue missions or after a major hurricane. And
with on-the-go coverage, public safety will have dedicated Band 14
connectivity wherever it's needed.
- LMR Interoperability for FirstNet Push-To-Talk: The
first-ever nationwide mission-critical, standards-based PTT
solution to launch in the U.S. now supports LMR-to-LTE
interoperability. This means first responders using LMR can
virtually seamlessly communicate with users on FirstNet PTT and
vice versa. With LMR interoperability, FirstNet PTT can complement
your agency communications – such as including support staff who
regularly use smartphones and allowing team members who travel
outside the LMR footprint to remain connected. Plus, 11 FirstNet
Ready™ devices are now approved for FirstNet PTT. Dive deeper into
how this helps first responders work better together in our latest
blog.
Why is this important? Information is everything in an
emergency. Before FirstNet, it was often hard for public safety
officials to communicate and work together to save lives due to
congestion on commercial networks and interoperability challenges
with LMR systems. Now, public safety has FirstNet – and it is not a
commercial network. FirstNet is specifically designed with and for
public safety, based on what they asked for to advance their
communications. As public safety's network, FirstNet is evolving
based on the needs of and feedback from first responders. These
solutions demonstrate FirstNet's continued commitment to drive
purposeful innovation to best support public safety and help them
stay mission-ready, equipping first responders with the
capabilities, coverage and capacity they need to protect themselves
and our communities.
What is FirstNet? FirstNet is the only
nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated
to and purpose-built for America's first responders and the
extended public safety community. It's the most important wireless
network in the country because it's serving our first responders.
Shaped by the vision of the first responder community and Congress
following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, FirstNet stands above
commercial offerings. It is built with AT&T in
public-private partnership with the First Responder Network
Authority (FirstNet Authority) – an independent agency within the
federal government. The FirstNet network is providing public safety
with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it,
unique benefits like always-on priority and preemption for
first responders, and high-quality Band 14 spectrum. These advanced
capabilities help fire, EMS, and law enforcement save lives and
protect their communities.
What people are saying:
Jason Porter, Senior Vice
President, FirstNet Program at AT&T
"First responders are the heart of FirstNet, and it is their
input that is shaping the new tools and technologies
on their network, today and for decades to come. These
innovative mission-driven solutions are equipping first responders
with better situational awareness – whether conducting a search and
rescue mission in a remote area or on the upper floors of a
burning building – all while helping to ensure a seamless,
interoperable connection. These are just a few of the ways that
FirstNet, public safety's network, stands above commercial
offerings."
Ed Parkinson, CEO of the
FirstNet Authority
"It is exciting to see the FirstNet marketplace continue to
flourish and meet the unique needs of public safety. These new
mission-ready features are delivering lifesaving capabilities into
the hands of first responders. The FirstNet Authority will continue
to work with our public safety community to innovate and advance
their network."
Brent Iadarola, Vice
President, Frost & Sullivan
"In today's environment, it is critical to improve the speed to
market, performance, and reliability of public safety products,
services, and solutions as the demands of the market evolve.
AT&T is at the forefront of providing industry-leading public
safety solutions that modernize public safety communications and
transform emergency reporting and response."
Where can I find more information? Visit FirstNet.com or
go here for more FirstNet news.
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.
*About AT&T Communications
We help family, friends and neighbors connect in meaningful ways
every day. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video
streaming, we @ATT innovate to improve lives.
AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc.
(NYSE:T). For more information, please visit us at
att.com.
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SOURCE AT&T Communications