More first responders choose FirstNet to reliably communicate
Celebrating the creation of FirstNet with the launch of the MiniCRD™
In only 6 years since the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) partnered with AT&T to deliver America’s public safety network, more agencies – think fire, law enforcement and EMS – trust FirstNet, Built with AT&T to reliably communicate than any other network.
In short, the network that public safety demanded is delivering.
But don’t take our word for it. Our leadership position within the public safety community is based on 2 independent analyses of the industry landscape and backed by more than 20 consecutive quarters of consistent, steady growth1.
“After just 6 years of partnership, we are proud to see how far FirstNet has come,” said Joseph M. Wassel, CEO, FirstNet Authority. “The network is serving public safety in every state and territory, making a positive impact on responder operations and our nation’s communities every day. The FirstNet Authority looks forward to collaborating with public safety to ensure the network grows and evolves to meet their needs – now and in the future.”
As public safety’s partner, we understand we must earn and re-earn their trust each day. That’s why we’re laser-focused on delivering not only a mission-ready network but an entire public safety ecosystem that is second-to-none for decades to come.
“Reliable connectivity for public safety’s mission needs is critical to helping save lives and protect our communities,” said Jim Bugel, President – FirstNet, AT&T. “That’s why America’s first responders are choosing FirstNet more than any other network. And as we enter the next stage of delivering public safety’s network, AT&T will continue to be held to a higher standard, ensuring that FirstNet is there for public safety no matter the emergency.”
To further celebrate the anniversary of the creation of FirstNet, we’ve launched the new Mini Compact Rapid Deployable for FirstNet. Now available for public safety agencies to purchase, these agency-owned assets are 80% smaller and half the price of the CRD™ for FirstNet, which has been instrumental in first responders’ emergency response during wildfires and last year’s Hurricane Ian.
The miniCRD™ consists of 2 ultra-portable ruggedized cases – each about the size of checked luggage. It covers up to ½ mile, links to FirstNet via satellite without relying on commercial power availability and a single person can deploy it within a matter of minutes. And with on-the-go coverage, public safety will have dedicated Band 14 connectivity wherever it’s needed.
FirstNet is proud to cover more first responders than any network.2 And with the nation’s largest coverage footprint of more than 2.91 million square miles, public safety on FirstNet have access to 250,000+ more square miles than competing commercial network offerings. Plus, with always-on priority and preemption, our first responders don’t have to dial special codes or take extra measures to ensure their critical communications get through.
“The new technology available with FirstNet allows public safety across the country to stay better connected when they need to the most – which is why so many firefighters and other first responders are turning to the network,” said Chief Bob Horton (Ret.), Deputy Executive Director, Western Fire Chiefs Association. We are excited by the way FirstNet continues to grow and evolve to better suit the needs of public safety and we look forward to the future of FirstNet.”
Today, more than 25,000 public safety agencies and organizations are on FirstNet. And it’s built for all first responders – federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, urban, rural and more. This includes federal agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Indian Health Service (IHS) that support tribal communities across the country, Superior Ambulance – one of the latest agencies to sign on to FirstNet – whose paramedics support communities across the Midwest, and even individual first responders who are easily making the move thanks to ‘FirstNet and Family’.
“The high level of availability provided by FirstNet allows our paramedics across the region in both rural and urban areas to stay connected whenever needed,” said Michael Tillman, Vice President, Superior Ambulance. “Whether we are deployed on standby for events like the Chicago Marathon, working through winter storms or responding to daily emergencies, FirstNet allows us to have the priority and preemption that keeps our paramedics and our communities safer.”
We look at FirstNet as the most important wireless network in the country because it’s delivering the interoperable connectivity first responders require to stay mission ready. And it’s transformed the way AT&T operates, from evolving disaster response to doubling down on network resiliency, truly making us a public safety-centric communications company.
Stay up to speed with the latest on FirstNet.com.
1 As of EOY 2022
2 Coverage not available everywhere. Based upon AT&T analysis of 3rd-party data.