Public Safety

AT&T Will Build First Responder Broadband Network

The telecommunications company will build a network aimed at providing fast, reliable communications for emergency services.

Juliet Van Wagenen

Juliet is the senior web editor for StateTech and HealthTech magazines. In her six years as a journalist she has covered everything from aerospace to indie music reviews — but she is unfailingly partial to covering technology.

AT&T has won a $46.5 billion contract to build a nationwide wireless broadband network for America’s first responders for the Department of Commerce and First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).

The 25-year agreement aims to sure up the communications infrastructure for public safety for “day-to-day operations, disaster response and recovery, and securing of large events,” according to a joint press release. The high-speed network dedicated to first responders will ensure that communications networks won’t be overloaded during a crisis.

The joint statement lays out the terms of the agreement as such:

• FirstNet will provide 20 MHz of high-value, telecommunications spectrum and success-based payments of $6.5 billion over the next five years to support the Network buildout – FirstNet’s funding was raised from previous FCC spectrum auctions;

• AT&T will spend about $40 billion over the life of the contract to build, deploy, operate and maintain the network, with a focus on ensuring robust coverage for public safety;

• Additionally, AT&T will connect FirstNet users to the company’s telecommunications network assets, valued at more than $180 billion.

The agreement will also make 20 MHz of broadband spectrum available for private-sector development.