Wireless Priority Service (WPS) vs FirstNet – Which Is Better for Public Safety?

When it comes to prioritized communications, U.S. public safety agencies have two choices:

Wireless Priority Service (WPS) or FirstNet.

Here’s the lowdown on both of them, so that you can make up your own mind.

What Is Wireless Priority Service (WPS)?

According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Wireless Priority Service (WPS) is a White House-directed cellular communications service provided and managed by CISA that provides authorized devices with priority calling on all nationwide and several regional cellular networks. WPS calls do not preempt calls in progress or deny the general public’s use of the telephone network. 

“WPS was created to prioritize voice communications for governments and essential services,” said Chris Denney, Division Chief at Southern Platte Fire Protection District in Missouri. “It does not prioritize data or video traffic.”

How WPS Works on Commercial Networks

Enrollment in WPS is offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and some regional U.S. carriers.

Once enrolled, eligible WPS users can access the system by first dialling the *272 service code before entering their desired phone number. 

Limitations of Wireless Priority Service (WPS)

Access to WPS is based on a FCC-assigned user category (one through five) based on the subscriber’s role in a disaster or incident response. Federal Government Executive Personnel and Policy Makers come first, followed by Disaster Response/Military Command and Control Personnel. Third place access is assigned to Public Health, Safety and Law Enforcement Personnel. Public Services/Utilities, Public Welfare, and Critical Infrastructure Protection Personnel are in fourth place, while Disaster Recovery Personnel are in fifth.

What is FirstNet

FirstNet is the nationwide wireless network dedicated to public safety agencies. Unlike WPS, first responder traffic always comes first on FirstNet. 

FirstNet also supports prioritized data and video wireless broadband transmissions for public safety agencies. WPS does not.

“FirstNet is the first responders’ wireless network authorized by Congress after 9/11,” said Chief Denney. “During the attack on the World Trade Center, we learned that first responders had some serious communications issues that resulted in loss of life. This is why Congress created

the FirstNet Authority to build FirstNet, which is supported by AT&T after the carrier won a competitive bidding process.”

Built Exclusively for Public Safety

Unlike WPS, the nationwide FirstNet network was built to service police, fire, EMS, and other U.S. public safety agencies. When it comes to wireless communications, they always come first.

Band 14 and Dedicated Spectrum

Band 14 is the reason FirstNet can provide dedicated wireless service to public safety agencies. It is a slice of the U.S. radio spectrum that has been legally assigned to first responder communications. Only FirstNet users (through AT&T) have access to Band 14.

“Band 14 can be used by non-public safety users, but only if there are no emergencies in progress,” Chief Denney said. “As soon as one occurs, public safety traffic takes precedence, no questions asked.”

How WPS and FirstNet Differ

Based on the data above, WPS is a voice-only service available on many carriers that offers third-level priority access to public safety users — and only after you enter the *272 code for each call.

There is no dedicated radio spectrum assigned to WPS calls. They are carried on commercial wireless networks, along with all other traffic.

FirstNet is a complete wireless broadband service (voice, data, and video) supported by AT&T that puts first responders first at all times – and there are no codes to be entered. Thanks to Band 14, FirstNet users have their own dedicated radio band.

Coverage and Reliability

The combination of FirstNet’s sophisticated 4G/5G networks and most extensive nationwide coverage (compared to other U.S. carriers) provides public safety agencies with their most reliable service option. 

Priority and Preemption Capabilities

“FirstNet users always enjoy priority service and the ability to automatically preempt non-public safety calls on the network,” said Chief Denney. “First responders on FirstNet also get prioritized access on all AT&T commercial bands, in addition to Band 14. This gives public safety agencies the coverage and capacity they need, when they need it most.”

Governance and Oversight by Public Safety

The FirstNet Authority is managed by people with extensive public safety experience, who have the interests of first responders at heart. “These are experts who come from police, fire, EMS and other first responder backgrounds,” Chief Denney said. “They joined FirstNet to make emergency communications serve the public and public safety agencies, rather than generating profits for shareholders.”

Why FirstNet Is the Better Choice

Put the facts together, and the conclusion is clear: With its nationwide priority service for public safety voice, data, and video traffic, FirstNet is the better choice for first responders.

“WPS was primarily designed to provide reliable voice-only service for the White House and government officials,” said Chief Denney. “FirstNet was created to provide first responders with priority voice, data, and video communications nationwide. This is what it does today, and why FirstNet is the better choice for public safety agencies.

Why FirstNet Should be Reauthorized in 2027

The Congressional act that created the FirstNet Authority is due to expire in 2027. Chief Chris Denney and the eight million FirstNet public safety users want the FirstNet Authority to be reauthorized before then — this time for good — so that the FirstNet network that they rely on doesn’t vanish.

“If FirstNet is not reauthorized, we’ll be turning the clock back to 9/11,” Chief Denney said. “We can’t let what went wrong during that tragic day — all the lives lost due to inadequate communications — to ever happen again. FirstNet itself was built to make sure it never does.”

FAQ 

What is Wireless Priority Service (WPS)?

WPS is a voice-only service available to authorized users. Public safety agencies get third-level access to WPS.

What is the difference between WPS and FirstNet?

Unlike WPS, FirstNet provides always-on priority and preemption service to public safety voice, data, and video wireless communications.

Can WPS be used on FirstNet?

No. That would be like running a slow-speed telephone modem on a high-speed broadband network.

Does WPS include data or just voice?

Just voice.

Why is FirstNet more reliable than WPS?

FirstNet provides first priority service to public safety agencies over the most modern, most extensive 4G/5G networks in the United States. WPS does not provide the same breadth or depth of service to these agencies.