OAKTON, Va., Oct. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --
What's the news? The U.S. Air Force has selected
FirstNet®, Built with AT&T – the only nationwide
high-speed broadband communications platform built with and for
first responders and those who support them – to deliver reliable,
always-on priority communications to its public safety
personnel and, for first responders, preemption, on 15 bases across
the country. The agreement struck between the Air Force Civil
Engineer Center (AFCEC) and AT&T* provides for the delivery of
FirstNet connectivity for 21 years: the remaining life of the
public-private partnership between the U.S. government and
AT&T.
Why is this important? Modernizing communications is a
top priority for the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense.
The Air Force is delivering on this strategy by investing to
improve network coverage and adopting FirstNet initially across 15
bases while it considers expanding FirstNet accessibility to
others.
FirstNet offers a wide range of mission-centric capabilities to
support communications among base first responders and public
safety personnel. It supports reliable, secure and interoperable
communications among on- and off-base public safety personnel when
collaborating to mitigate incidents that threaten the safety of
airmen and the general public. Unlike commercial networks, FirstNet
is built to public safety's strict specifications and requirements.
And the FirstNet network comes with unique features,
functionality, and a dedicated lane of connectivity for the Air
Force's military and public safety community to help them connect
to critical information they need when they need
it.
In addition, with FirstNet, these U.S. Air Force bases will have
access to a dedicated nationwide fleet of 100+ land-based
and airborne portable cell sites stationed across the country to
provide connectivity during significant events in support of public
safety's mission. These critical response assets are available 24/7
at no additional charge.
How would the Air Force benefit from
FirstNet? With a physically separate, dedicated
core, FirstNet provides public safety personnel
always-on priority and, for first responders,
preemption, across LTE – Band 14 spectrum plus all of AT&T's
commercial LTE spectrum bands. Band 14 is nationwide, high-quality
spectrum set aside by the government specifically for FirstNet
that allows for capabilities that other spectrum bands
don't. Plus, the FirstNet core has been upgraded to
enable reliable 5G connectivity. These upgrades will allow
these Air Force bases to have access to network connectivity
with increased capacity and high throughput speeds on the
FirstNet core, as well as 5G-powered network edge computing
capabilities that will support increased bandwidth efficiencies and
the creation of innovative edge-based solutions.
FirstNet offers these Air Force bases interoperability with
existing land mobile radio assets and with first responders off
base. FirstNet supports voice, data, and streaming video
communications with priority and preemption among base and local
community first responders when needed.
FirstNet is the first-ever nationwide network to introduce
comprehensive tower-to-core encryption based on open industry
standards. FirstNet traffic can be automatically secured as it
moves from the cell tower, through the backhaul, to the core and
back again. FirstNet continues to grow because it offers
distinct advantages from commercial offerings. And the more than
17,000 agencies and organizations – accounting for more than 2.5
million connections nationwide – would agree.1
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. 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:
Lance Spencer, Client
Executive Vice President – Defense, AT&T Public Sector and
FirstNet
"We aim to be the network provider of choice as
the Air Force moves more deliberately toward consuming advanced
communications capabilities. It's an honor to deliver FirstNet to
support base personnel and first responders to help ensure the
safety of each base and its surrounding community."
Where can I find more
information? Visit FirstNet.com or
Go here for more information about AT&T's work in the
public sector.
1As of Q2 2021.
FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and
service marks of the First Responder Network Authority.
*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