Page 22 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

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AT&T’s FirstNet Passes 750,000 Connections

Public safety personnel across the country continue to turn to
FirstNet to advance their routine and emergency responses.
Nearly 9,000 public safety agencies and organizations have
subscribed to FirstNet, accounting for over 750,000 connections
in service. And the numbers are growing daily. Why? Because the
FirstNet communications platform – built with AT&T* and the First
Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) – offers first
responders and those critical to their response a purpose-built
experience they can’t get anywhere else. “FirstNet is designed to
be different because that’s what public safety specifically asked
for. This is the only platform that has been built from the ground
up just for this community, and we believe FirstNet is the most
important network in the country because it serves public safety
across the country,” said Chris Sambar, senior vice president,
FirstNet Program at AT&T. “As we grow and evolve FirstNet, we’re
proud to connect more members of the public safety community
and further empower the men and women we rely on to keep us
safe with the advaned communications capabilities needed to help
strengthen their mission delivery.” For the second consecutive
quarter, FirstNet brings its subscribers the fastest overall network
experience. According to the results of tests taken with Speedtest
as analyzed by AT&T, FirstNet once again performed faster than
any commercial network.1 These results come as the number of
markets with the FirstNet Band 14 spectrum nears 650.2 we’re
moving quickly with about 65% of our nationwide coverage
targets completed well ahead of schedule. The more we roll out
Band 14 across the country, the more we’re able to provide first FirstNet during the record rainfall and flooding earlier this year
responders with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they was second to none,” said Keenan Campbell, Situation Unit Leader
need it. This helps them reliably connect to critical information, – Illinois Incident Management Team. “Having a FirstNet SatCOLT
communicate and coordinate. And in the coming months, FirstNet rapidly deployed and onsite to keep our command post connected
subscribers will be getting another boost in their connectivity. to our broader team was an invaluable asset to our mission, and
AT&T and Assured Wireless Corporation are working together to it gives me peace of mind knowing that I have a network that will
develop safe and effective solutions that bring first responders be there when and where I need it.” “FirstNet is the real deal,”
the true benefits of high-power user equipment (HPUE). Following said John Rockwell, Statewide 9-1-1 Coordinator, FirstNet SPOC,
3GPP standards, HPUE solutions can transmit at stronger signals. Acting SWIC, Department of Public Safety, Alaska State Troopers.
This signal increase can only be done using the FirstNet Band “We helped organize deployment to fight a fire in northern Alaska
14 spectrum. That’s huge for public safety. For rural and remote last month, and we needed communications. A FirstNet SatCOLT
responders, HPUE could significantly increase their coverage was there in 5 hours. It was the furthest north we’ve ever had
area. For urban and suburban responders, this will help solve the unified communications, making our ability to respond that much
common challenge of indoor coverage. The stronger signal will easier and more efficient.” Plus, we’ve supported agencies at more
better assist those connecting from hard-to-reach places like than 100 planned events this year, including coast-to-coast 4th
basements, elevators, stairwells and parking garages, helping of July celebrations. First responders have also relied on FirstNet
first responders communicate inside and out. “Our collaboration during music festivals, sporting events and speaker rallies for
with AT&T is a perfect example of technology’s power to do great public officials. When emergencies strike, it’s also critical that 911
things for public safety,” said Tom Bilotta, CEO of Assured Wireless call centers have the tools they need to maintain operations. To
Corporation. “The standards-based HPUE solutions that we plan help 911 communicators stay connected during potential service-
to bring forward will build on the unique capabilities of FirstNet impacting situations, 911 call centers can now use FirstNet as a
to further strengthen first responders’ ability to communicate no wireless backup solution to AT&T ESInet™ – a smarter, modernized
matter where their mission takes them.” Since establishing the 911 call-routing service. This backup capability is enabled by
FirstNet Response Operations Program a year ago, public safety AT&T Private Mobile Connection, which connects AT&T ESInet to
has turned to FirstNet to help support them during both planned FirstNet for added redundancy. If AT&T ESInet detects a failure
and emergency events. This year alone, we have helped first in the primary connection to the PSAP, emergency calls will be
responders stay connected during nearly 75 emergency events. automatically routed over FirstNet. Keeping PSAPs connected
From wildfires and floods, to a tropical storm turned hurricane during critical times helps improve emergency response and
and tornadoes, to search and rescue missions in remote locations enables 911 communicators to provide seamless service to the
and more, FirstNet has been there. “The support we received from community until the primary connection is restored.
22 AUGUST 2019