Broadband network for first responders expanded
The First Responder Network Authority and AT&T are investing more than $6.3 billion over the next 10 years to expand FirstNet, the nation’s public safety broadband network. The upgrade will enhance 5G coverage for first responders. Another $2 billion is under consideration.
Starting in March, AT&T announced, “FirstNet will be the first and only wireless network to provide America’s first responders with always-on priority and preemption across 5G.”
The FirstNet expansion was announced Feb. 13 at the Edsall Road Fire Station in Mason District.
“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,” said Fairfax County Fire Chief John Butler, who also serves as president and board chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “We look forward to seeing how these continued improvements and enhancements help us in our lifesaving mission every day.”
About 17,500 public safety agencies and organizations are already on FirstNet, which allows first responders to communicate with one another during everyday operations and emergencies.
The additional investment will fund thousands of new FirstNet cell sites across the country, including 1,000 new sites within the next two years. The planned 5G network upgrades will generate faster speeds, increase capacity, and enhance the quality of service for FirstNet users.
This next phase will create a 5G standalone core and support the transition of public safety’s Band 14 spectrum from LTE to 5G. It will also expand mission-critical services – such as voice, video, data, and location – and prepare the network to evolve beyond 5G.
By integrating 5G on FirstNet with 911 systems, public safety agencies will be able to leverage the full potential of this technology, allowing for a more informed and rapid response to emergencies.
During the transition to a full 5G network, the existing FirstNet 4G network will remain operational.
Um…. This is very old news. It sounds like the local first responders are now getting on board with this advantage but the author is making it sound like this is a brand new system altogether. Very confusing reading to someone like me who has had this feature on their phone for a long time. And it doesn’t even mention that this is a result of the mess during 9/11 where first responders couldn’t communicate because the public was flooding the network. I’m glad Fairfax is finally getting on board. For a first responder organization on the DC Beltway, this is way late.