Expanding FirstNet Coverage for First Responders in Alabama

AT&T Blog Team
December 10, 2021
Broadband Access and Affordability, Public Safety


Expanding FirstNet Coverage for First Responders in Alabama

At AT&T, we’re proud to deliver FirstNet®, the only nationwide high-speed broadband communications platform for first responders. We are thankful for the work first responders do for their communities, and we are honored to continue to build out public safety’s nationwide wireless broadband network.

We recently announced the expansion of the FirstNet network in Alabama, including the addition of new, purpose-built FirstNet cell sites, providing FirstNet and commercial coverage to all of Redstone Arsenal, including:

  • The U.S. Army
  • The NASA Marshall Flight Center
  • The new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters
  • AT&T wireless customers who work and visit Redstone Arsenal

To commemorate the build, the FirstNet team at AT&T was honored to join Lieutenant General Donnie Walker, deputy commanding general of Army Materiel Command and senior mission commander of Redstone Arsenal, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) at a ribbon cutting ceremony at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. This new FirstNet infrastructure will help ensure Redstone Arsenal’s first responders stay connected and receive the information they need – every day and in every emergency.

FirstNet is transforming connectivity for first responders, not only in Alabama, but nationwide. In fact, this is the kick off for a collaboration between the U.S. Army and FirstNet that will provide U.S. Army public safety personnel at 72 Army installations across the nation with increased capabilities to communicate as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Unlike commercial networks, FirstNet is built to public safety’s strict specifications and requirements. It is providing first responders with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it, unique benefits like always-on priority and preemption, and high-quality Band 14 spectrum. These advanced capabilities help emergency managers, fire, EMS and law enforcement save lives and protect their communities.

Public safety nationwide recognizes the unique value of FirstNet, as more than 18,500 public safety agencies and organizations, accounting for more than 2.8 million connections[1] nationwide, are on FirstNet. For the Army, this recognition came through a pilot program in 2020 at Military Ocean Terminal in Sunny Point, North Carolina. The Army tested FirstNet’s capabilities with its fire and military police responders under storm conditions and saw first-hand the benefits of FirstNet’s breadth of capabilities that could be available to each Army installation regardless of size or location.

At AT&T, we are looking forward to continuing to expand the FirstNet network and to serve first responders at Redstone Arsenal and around the country.

 

FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

[1] As of Q3 2021

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