IWCE 2022: FirstNet more than 95 percent complete; new tech advances adoption

A decade ago, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) was authorized under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 as an interoperable broadband network designed exclusively around the needs of public safety organizations. It was conceptualized in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks, which laid bare communication shortcomings.  

At first, given the massive scope of the undertaking, its completion wasn’t certain. Today, however, with upwards of 95 percent of the network completed ahead of schedule, city and county organizations are signing on. 

There’s been “massive adoption—3 million users; 20,000 agencies,” said Scott Agnew, assistant vice president of FirstNet Solutions at AT&T during a keynote address at the 2022 International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) last month. The expo was held over a week in Las Vegas, and featured a variety of talks and lectures from telecommunication industry experts. 

With FirstNet conceptualized, AT&T’s request for proposal was awarded a $7 billion contract and 20 megahertz of radio spectrum to build out the network in March of 2017, and operate it for 25 years. When the contract was awarded, “The next step was that 56 states (and territories) had to opt in—that’s another point where it could have failed. But again, what happened? Public safety came together,” Agnew continued. These years later, with more than 2.8 million miles covered—better than any commercial network, according to Agnew—FirstNet is well on its way. Emerging technology intended to better connect first responders to those in need is likewise advancing. 

Land mobile radio, the traditional communication method chosen by first responders, for example, can be integrated into push-to-talk systems (Motorola’s cloud-based Critical Connect) via FirstNet’s broadband network, which supports features like video streaming, text, voice and data. 

In a statement issued on the occasion of the network’s five-year anniversary, FirstNet and AT&T announced an increased focus on in-building situational awareness through cell booster technology—Cell Booster Pro—“an enterprise-grade mini cell tower that provides reliable connectivity for public safety,” the brief says. Agnew said the booster can cover 15,000 square feet and noted FirstNet is working with the Safer Building Coalition to improve in-building connectivity. 

“With 80 percent of wireless calls taking place indoors, the need for in-building dedicated public safety connectivity is essential to public safety operations and overall safety,” the statement notes. “And when public safety responds to an emergency within a building, if cell signal penetration is hindered (think stairwells, basements and other hard-to reach places), the ability to achieve their mission is potentially compromised.” 

To that end, enhanced z-axis technology additionally affords vertical visualization capability, tracking a first responder’s relative position in a building and giving dispatchers the ability to see and mark important areas. 

For disaster response, “public safety’s FirstNet fleet now has 150 dedicated deployable assets—including 50-plus Compact Rapid Deployables—available to support first responders in all 56 U.S. states and territories,” the statement says. Other advancements include a partnership with the security company ADT, allowing information to be sent “from their alarm systems into the PSAP (public safety answering point),” Agnew said. Nine-one-one callers can also send texts and other data messages to dispatchers via interoperable next-generation 911 technology. 

Edward Parkinson, CEO of FirstNet Authority, an independent authority within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said it’s encouraging to see innovations and the network’s overall expansion “based on public safety’s needs. Public safety has identified these capabilities and solutions as critical to advancing the FirstNet network, so we are excited to see the marketplace deliver on them. FirstNet users can continue to count on their network to provide them with mission-ready solutions for emergencies of all types and sizes.” 

With 20 years left on its FirstNet operating contract, Agnew said AT&T is “excited about the future. I just wanted to talk about winning together; the folks who were here before the legislation was here. We call them FirstNet 1.0. They’re the originals. The folks who were here around the 56 states (and territories) adopting, they’re 2.0,” he said, noting those who adopted after it was passed are considered “3.0.” And the folks who don’t have a number yet: you’re 4.0, the future.”