In the nearly 5 years since AT&T was selected by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) to build and operate FirstNet®, the company moved quickly to bring more coverage, boost capacity and drive new capabilities for first responders and the communities they serve, whether they be rural, urban and tribal.

To date the public safety community on FirstNet has access to the nation’s largest coverage footprint, reaching more than 2.81 million square miles across the country. That means they cover more than 50,000 square miles above that of the largest commercial networks (about the size of Alabama), enabling more first responders access to an entire ecosystem of innovative solutions to keep them mission ready. 

Public safety agencies and organizations in thousands of communities across the country are staying connected with FirstNet, Built with AT&T, and now, more first responders are gaining access to a one-of-a-kind 5G experience on FirstNet.

5G connectivity on FirstNet has launched in ten new areas which include Savannah (Georgia), Western Kansas, Lansing (Michigan), Minneapolis (Minnesota), Toledo (Ohio), Charleston (South Carolina), Hilton Head (South Carolina), Sioux Falls (South Dakota), Richmond (Virginia) and Redmond (Washington), all to further support public safety’s unique mission needs.

These areas now join ten other previously announced cities – Austin (Texas), Charlotte (N. Carolina), Cleveland (Ohio), Dallas (Texas), El Paso (Texas), Houston (Texas), Knoxville (Tenn.), Phoenix (Ariz.), Raleigh (N. Carolina) and San Antonio (Texas).

Public safety also has access to 5G+ (mmWave) spectrum in parts of more than 40 cities and 35 stadiums and venues. And we’re continuing to roll out additional 5G connectivity for FirstNet in more communities nationwide. 

AT&T has also deployed Band 14 spectrum nationwide, public safety’s VIP lane, which is a nationwide, high-quality spectrum licensed to the FirstNet Authority for public safety specifically on the FirstNet network.

In an emergency, Band 14 (or VIP lane) can be cleared and locked exclusively for first responders and the extended public safety community. This is vital because, as seen at this year’s Super Bowl, a first responder used two times more data for their critical communications as compared to a general consumer. 

Tens of thousands of communities are benefitting from the unique capabilities of Band 14.

Since launching public safety’s network, the company has upgraded tens of thousands of existing AT&T cell sites with public safety’s Band 14 spectrum, helping to surpass 95% of their Band 14 coverage target with the FirstNet Authority, as well as reaching several hundred thousand additional square miles that exceed their contractual target commitment.

And they continue to roll out Band 14 to help provide public safety with dedicated connectivity when needed. 

Strengthening Public Safety’s Network Infrastructure 

But AT&T isn’t stopping there. The FCC estimates that over 10,000 lives could be saved each year if public safety were able to reach callers just one minute faster.

And since 80% of wireless calls take place indoors, the need for in-building dedicated public safety connectivity is essential to public safety operations and overall safety. That’s why the company is collaborating with the Safer Buildings Coalition, the nation’s leading industry advocacy group focused on advancing policies, ideas, and technologies that ensure effective in-building communications capabilities for public safety personnel and the people they serve. 

There’s no connection more important than one that can help save a life. In 2021, the U.S. experienced more than 60 extreme weather and climate events coupled with increasing instabilities in the commercial power infrastructure landscape.

While they’ve made significant investments to increase network resiliency, these unprecedented events have reinforced the need to take further action for today’s changing environment.

(See how Oklahoma Electric Cooperative employees serve their community and support public safety in the course of their job, and how FirstNet is helping them stay connected as they go about their daily jobs and in their disaster response. Courtesy of FirstNet, Built with AT&T and YouTube.)

That’s why AT&T is leading the industry by establishing a 3rd “emergency” pathway to each mobility network hub (MTSO). And as public safety’s partner, they will continue to set the bar on what success looks like for network resiliency now and in the future. 

Further reinforcing the reliability of FirstNet, the company has gone farther than anyone in the industry to secure public safety’s communications.

FirstNet is now the first-ever nationwide network with comprehensive tower-to-core network encryption, and since FirstNet is designed with a defense-in-depth security strategy that goes well beyond standard commercial network security measures, first responders have superior protection without sacrificing usability or impacting public safety’s missions. 

Why is this important?

In less than 5 years, 56 states and territories unanimously opted-in to FirstNet; we launched the highly secure, dedicated FirstNet network core to give first responders their own connectivity platform; and added so many square miles to the FirstNet service area that it was like they added the entire state of California nearly 3 times over. 

Today, FirstNet is solving for common and long-standing communications challenges that first responders face; things like interoperability, network congestion, and commercial network providers slowing public safety’s data connection.

FirstNet is giving them superior coverage for day-to-day response and life-saving missions. While commercial wireless offerings remain available to public safety, FirstNet continues to grow because it offers distinct advantages from those commercial offerings.

(FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, is specifically designed to meet public safety’s critical communications needs. Quality of Service ensures that data public safety needs are at their fingertips. Courtesy of First Responder Network Authority and YouTube.)

FirstNet comes with unique features, functionality, and a dedicated spectrum when needed for the public safety community. That’s why public safety fought for their own, separate, dedicated platform, championing the vision that led to the creation of FirstNet. 

How does FirstNet help bridge the digital divide?

Over the past 5 years (2017–2021), AT&T’s total investment in the United States, including capital investment and acquisitions of wireless spectrum, was more than $130 billion, and the FirstNet network expansion is one way they are helping ensure all of public safety, and the communities they serve, have access to critical connectivity to help meet the urgent challenges of today and tomorrow. 

Already covering more than 99% of the U.S. population today, FirstNet is built for all public safety. That means every first responder, whether career or volunteer; federal, tribal, state or local; urban, suburban or rural, and those that support them.

(Learn how North Carolina’s first responders face a variety of challenges with “communication deserts” throughout the state, especially in rural areas. With a new FirstNet cell tower in Wayne County, first responders will have the coverage they need for emergencies and daily activities. Courtesy of First Responder Network Authority and YouTube.)

They work closely with local telecom providers across the country to more quickly address rural and tribal coverage needs and expand the reach of FirstNet for the public safety community. For example, thanks to these collaborations they were able to nearly quadruple their coverage in Nebraska since launching FirstNet. And they’ve deployed Band 14 across nearly 100 cell sites on the Navajo Nation. 

And with FirstNet, it’s about where first responders need connectivity, which is why the build is being done with direct feedback from public safety and local stakeholders, whose feedback has been instrumental in deploying Band 14 spectrum nationwide.

And it’s helped to launch nearly 1,000 new sites in rural, remote, and tribal areas to date, including areas where emergency responses have been previously challenged. 

From collaborating with local providers to building out new, purpose-built cell sites in rural and remote locations, this new infrastructure will help improve the overall coverage and network capacity experience for public safety on FirstNet and AT&T wireless customers in the area.

Residents, visitors, and businesses can take advantage of the AT&T commercial spectrum bands, as well as Band 14 when not being used by FirstNet subscribers. 

What makes 5G on FirstNet “one of a kind?”

FirstNet is not a commercial network. And that means their approach to 5G for public safety must be different from the way your friends and family experience 5G. With FirstNet, they’re taking the right steps for public safety in a way that meets their unique mission needs.

While 5G connectivity will ultimately bring a combination of benefits like ultra-low latency and ultra-high speeds to support all kinds of users, it’s essential to approach 5G in a different way for first responders.

That’s why first responders maintain voice communications with priority and preemption on LTE, while the FirstNet network determines the best route for data traffic, whether that’s 5G or LTE spectrum. 

What is FirstNet?

FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community.

(Learn about the FirstNet network, a nationwide broadband network dedicated to first responders and public safety. Courtesy of AT&T and YouTube.)

Shaped by the vision of Congress and the first responder community following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, FirstNet stands above commercial offerings. It is built with AT&T in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) – an independent agency within the federal government.

With more than 19,500 agencies and organizations, accounting for more than 3 million connections nationwide, the FirstNet network is providing public safety 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 enable FirstNet to help fire, EMS, law enforcement and more save lives and protect their communities. 

(FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, is specifically designed to meet public safety’s critical communications needs. Two of the key public safety features of FirstNet are priority and preemption. Priority means that public safety devices gain access to the network first and that public safety is at the front of the line. Courtesy of First Responder Network Authority and YouTube.)

To Learn More about the value FirstNet is bringing to public safety, please visit FirstNet.com.

2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program Now Accepting Nominations

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlight the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.

In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.

Our 2021 keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.

Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.

The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by AMAROK, Fortior Solutions and SIMS Software, along with Returning Premier Sponsors ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Reed Exhibitions.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification	Personal/Protective Equipment	Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System	Interagency Interdiction Operation	Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition	Body Worn Video Product	Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS	Mobile Technology	Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics	Disaster Preparedness	ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera	Mass Notification System	Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection	Rescue Operations	Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition	Detection Products	COVID Innovations
Workforce Management	Government Security Programs	And Many Others to Choose From!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

In 2021 over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
• ICE Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI)
• Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
• Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• DHS Science & Technology (S&T)
• The National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health (NCDMPH)
• The American Red Cross
• The InfraGard National Alliance
• The Metropolitan Police (MPD)
• The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)
• Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)
• The Federal Air Marshals Service
• The San Diego Harbor Police Foundation, and Many More!

Corporate firms, the majority of which return year to year to build upon their record of accomplishment include:

AlertMedia, Allied Universal, AMAROK, ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Axis Communications, Automatic Systems of America, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Fortior Solutions, guardDog.ai, Hanwha Techwin of America, HID Global, Mark43, IPVideo Corporation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Lumina Analytics, NEC National Security Systems, NICE Public Safety, OnSolve, PureTech Systems, Quantum Corporation, Rave Mobile Safety, Regroup Mass Notification, Robotic Assistance Devices, Rajant Corporation, SafeLogic, Senstar Corporation, ShotSpotter, Singlewire Software, SolarWinds Worldwide, Teledyne FLIR, Valor Systems, and Wiresecure, just to name a few!

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please see the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It serves as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2021 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

• For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

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