DALLAS, Dec. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The FirstNet
public safety communications platform – built with AT&T*
in a public-private partnership with the First Responder
Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) – is growing in a big
way. More than 10,000 public safety agencies and organizations
across the country have subscribed. And over 1 million FirstNet
connections are in service, bringing first responders and those
that support them the reliability, capability and accountability
they trust to carry out their mission.
"Public safety is called upon to handle emergencies every single
day. They have to be ready for the worst with the best tools to
help them respond safely, efficiently and effectively," said
Jason Porter, senior vice president,
FirstNet Program at AT&T. "We're honored to see FirstNet play a
supporting role in that response for thousands of agencies across
the country.
"FirstNet is the only wireless communications platform that's
been architected from the ground up just for the public safety
community. It's specifically designed to advance public safety
communications, equipping subscribing first responders with the
innovative, mission-focused tools, technologies and features they
can't get anywhere else."
That includes a giant addition to the FirstNet disaster response
arsenal: FirstNet One – an approximately 55-foot aerostat. More
commonly known as a blimp, the FirstNet One aerostat is the
76th deployable network asset to join the nationwide
FirstNet fleet.
FirstNet One brings a first-of-its-kind public safety
communications solution to help keep responders connected during
large-scale, catastrophic events:
- Can fly up to 1,000 feet, potentially providing over 2 times
the coverage area as compared to other deployable solutions, like
Satellite Cells on Wheels and Flying Cells on Wings™ (COWs).
- Fully operational in windspeeds up to 50 mph and capable of
withstanding windspeeds up to 70 mph.
- Able to stay aloft for about 2 weeks before needing additional
helium top-off, giving first responders wide-scale portable
connectivity over an extended period of time.
- Tethered to a trailer to provide either satellite or wireline
backhaul.
- Reduces the need for multiple ground-based portable cell sites,
freeing those dedicated assets to be used by other agencies
nationwide.
The aerostat was recently tested in Tuskegee, Ala. Flight testing established its
initial coverage area, airworthiness, payload lift potential,
avionics and flight controls, and performance of the power and data
transmission lines connecting to the FirstNet network core.
Operational methods, procedures and safety standards required to
deploy, launch, operate and recover the asset in a public safety
incident response scenario were also tested.
"Testing FirstNet One at the historically significant
Sharpe Field once again broke new
ground for the safety and protection of our country," said
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. "With the launch of public safety's
aerostat, I look forward to seeing how FirstNet will continue to
take the communications capabilities of our Nation's first
responders to the next level."
Like the other 75 portable assets – including 3 Flying COWs™ –
FirstNet One will be available 24/7 at no additional charge to
FirstNet subscribers for potential use during major incidents.
Disasters where FirstNet One could be deployed include major
hurricanes like last year's Hurricane Michael, where FirstNet
assets were deployed for 3+ months in the Florida panhandle while recovery efforts were
underway. The FirstNet team at AT&T, led by former first
responders, will determine the appropriate asset to send – or
resolution – based on the situation.
"Witnessing the FirstNet One aerostat airborne test was
fascinating and being onsite to see the operations and speak with
the team reinforced the value of the FirstNet communications
platform," said Alabama Emergency
Management Agency Director Brian
Hastings. "This FirstNet relationship is critical to
exploring innovative and creative communication capabilities."
So far this year, public safety has turned to FirstNet
deployable network assets for additional support during 450+
emergencies and planned events – like sporting events, parades and
training activities vital to keeping first responders
mission-ready.
For example, Santa Clara County Sheriff Search and Rescue called
on the FirstNet team to support a large-scale training drill across
numerous agencies spanning multiple jurisdictions. Set in a
mountainous region, the FirstNet Flying COW™ was deployed, making
its debut flight to support participating first
responders.
Santa Clara County Sheriff Search and Rescue Technical Rescue
Coordinator Rusty Wackermann said,
"In remote areas of the county, communications have always been a
challenge. And if we can't communicate, we can't see if our teams
are safe or obtain the latest rescue status from those in the
field. FirstNet is solving for this, giving us on-demand access to
the connectivity we need when our community needs us the most."
FirstNet subscribers also continue to benefit from permanent
network enhancements as we aggressively expand FirstNet's coverage
and capacity across the country. Using all AT&T LTE bands,
FirstNet already covers over 99% of the U.S. population today. And
with Band 14 deployed in over 675 markets1, more than
75% of our Band 14 nationwide coverage target has already been
completed – well ahead of schedule. This includes every major city
from coast to coast, rural towns like Hempstead, Ark., Lincoln, N.M., and Maury, Tenn., and tribal areas like White
Earth Reservation where a new, purpose-built site recently
went on-air nearby.
"After experiencing wireless data connectivity issues, we began
searching for a solution. We field-tested several FirstNet devices
and received an overwhelmingly positive response from all the
users, so we made the decision to switch all city departments to
FirstNet," said Captain Jeremy Ward,
Blytheville Police Department.
"Since the switch, we have had a reliable connection and great
coverage, which helps us keep our community safe."
And, FirstNet goes beyond delivering reliable, unthrottled
connectivity to public safety. With more than 100 FirstNet Ready™
devices and 100 approved apps in the FirstNet App Catalog, public
safety agencies across the country are continuing to turn to the
innovative tools in the FirstNet ecosystem to cost-effectively
advance their routine and emergency responses.
For example, a public safety agency in Massachusetts is using FirstNet Listed
application Vizsafe to enhance situational awareness for their
hazmat teams.
Peter Mottur, CEO of Vizsafe
said, "Using Vizsafe on FirstNet, the agency can now broadcast and
view live video streams from first responders, track near real-time
user location on the front lines and share insights with Command
staff to improve decision making and streamline response."
We also plan to launch FirstNet Push-to-Talk in early 2020. This
is a standards-compliant, mission-centric solution that's being
purpose-built for public safety. It's designed to further advance
first responders' communication capabilities with reliable,
high-performance calling.
"Since its launch, FirstNet has created a dedicated marketplace
for public safety broadband communications that never existed
before, and we are only scratching the surface on the innovations
this network is driving," said FirstNet Authority's Edward Parkinson. "Public safety's critical
communications needs will always be at the center of their network,
and we are proud to support more than 10,000 agencies using more
than 1 million FirstNet connections across the country. We look
forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with public safety and
AT&T as we head into a new year of network expansion and
growth."
FirstNet is public safety's dedicated, nationwide communications
platform. It's bringing public safety communications into the 21st
century with new, innovative capabilities to strengthen first
responders' incident response. And it's helping them connect to the
critical information they need – every day and in every
emergency.
Go here for more FirstNet news. Or check out FirstNet.com to
learn more about the program.
1Markets defined by FCC CMAs.
*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 innovate to
improve lives. We have the nation's fastest wireless network.** And
according to America's biggest test, we have the nation's best
wireless network.*** We're building FirstNet just for first
responders and creating next-generation mobile 5G. With a range of
TV and video products, we deliver entertainment people love to talk
about. Our smart, highly secure solutions serve nearly 3 million
global businesses – nearly all of the Fortune 1000. And worldwide,
our spirit of service drives employees to give back to their
communities.
AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). Learn
more at att.com/CommunicationsNews.
AT&T products and services are provided or offered by
subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T
brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information about
AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com.
Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at facebook.com/att
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© 2019 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service
marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated
companies. FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks
of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks contained
herein are the property of their respective owners.
**Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data
average download speeds for Q3 2019. Ookla trademarks used under
license and reprinted with permission.
***GWS OneScore, September 2019.
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SOURCE AT&T Communications