The Department of Commerce www.commerce.gov and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) www.firstnet.gov an independent government authority, have selected AT&T www.att.com to build and manage the first nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to police, firefighters, and emergency medical services.
The funding for $46.5 billion to initiate this public-private partnership will modernize the emergency communications infrastructure which public safety needs for day-to-day operations, disaster response, and recovery.
Today, first responders use commercial networks. These networks are the same networks used by consumers and businesses for mobile data and applications. This can be an issue when a significant public safety crisis happens and at that point, commercial networks quickly become congested which then makes it difficult for first responders to communicate.
Also, first responders use more than 10,000 networks for voice communications. These networks often do not interoperate which severely limits their ability to communication with each other when responding to a situation.
This public private infrastructure will support millions of first responders and public safety personnel nationwide and is expected to create 10,000 jobs over the next two years. The network buildout will begin later this year.
Specifically, the 25 year agreement between FirstNet and AT&T will:
- Provide for 20 MHz of high value telecommunications spectrum and success-based payments of $6.5 billion over the next five years to support the Network’s buildout
- Enable AT&T to spend about $40 billion over the life of the contract to build, deploy, operate, and maintain the network
- Enable AT&T to connect FirstNet users to the company’s telecommunications network assets valued at more than $180 billion
In addition, the network will provide near real-time information on traffic conditions to determine the fastest route to an emergency. The technology used will enable advanced capabilities like the use of wearable sensors and cameras, camera-equipped drones, and robots capable of delivering near real-time images of events such as fires, floods, or crimes.