Is There FirstNet Oversight?
Many have complained there isn’t enough. Are they right? You be the judge. There has been considerable talk within NTIA and on the Hill as well as a couple of public safety…
Articles by Editorial Staff
A First Responder’s Experience: Verizon Frontline Fails to Impress
By Chris F. Denney In August 2025, I decided to look for a personal cell phone. So, I decided to give Verizon Wireless a try. I have experience in wireless…
Critical comms for first responders is crucial. Here’s why Congress must act.
In late August 2005, our team at Acadian Ambulance was bracing for the unimaginable. Hurricane Katrina was heading toward Louisiana, and even with decades of disaster response experience, we knew…
FirstNet is Transforming Communications for First Responders in Marion County, South Carolina
Today, AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) joined local first responders, public safety officials and community leaders in Marion County to highlight how FirstNet® Built with AT&T – the only 5G…
FCC, DOJ in Court Defending Plan to Open More Public Safety Spectrum to FirstNet
WASHINGTON, August 19, 2025 – Faced with lawsuits from those on both sides of the issue, the government is defending its plan to open potentially valuable public safety spectrum to…
FirstNet Works and Congress Should Leave It Alone
As Congress considers the reauthorization of FirstNet (a wireless network exclusively for first responders), public safety associations are lining up in support while competitors for the contract are trying to…
CRITICAL INSIGHT Q&A: The high-stakes push to safeguard ‘FirstNet’ broadband spectrum
First responders have long depended on calling for backup and clearing the airwaves. Since its launch in 2018, FirstNet—America’s public safety broadband network—has become indispensable. With over 7.5 million connections, support…
Boulder County strikes gold with FirstNet CRD
Boulder County, Colorado, covers nearly 750 square miles and spans 9,000 feet of elevation change in the Rocky Mountains. The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) knows emergencies can happen anywhere in…
FirstNet is Transforming Communications for First Responders in Alamance County, North Carolina
Today, AT&T*, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) joined local first responders, public safety officials and community leaders in Alamance County to highlight…
FirstNet Authority pre-planning aids communication at the St. Thomas Carnival
Each spring, the St. Thomas Carnival transforms the U.S. Virgin Islands into a vibrant showcase of culture, community, and tradition. Drawing over 10,000 attendees, the weeklong celebration features lively parades,…
AT&T claims first VoLTE call via satellite-direct-to-device technology
AT&T continues to make progress testing satellite-direct-to-device technology to fill terrestrial-network coverage gaps for public safety, including the execution of the first voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) call via satellite through the carrier’s…
Enhancing Emergency Communications in South Dakota with Mission Critical Push-to-Talk
Our nation’s emergency communications community is in pursuit of enhanced interoperability, coverage, reliability, and efficiency. Nobody understands this better than the dedicated professionals who maintain radio systems and manage communications…
Inflatable tower provides coverage-enhancement option to popular miniCRD deployables
AT&T’s FirstNet unit recently announced the PERC-SKYMAST, an inflatable mobile cell tower that is designed to extend the effective range of a deployable miniCRD up to two miles by elevating…
APCO, AT&T express support for FirstNet Authority reauthorization
Key officials for APCO and AT&T express each entity’s support for Congress reauthorizing the FirstNet Authority, allowing the organization to continue to oversee and upgrade the nationwide public-safety broadband network…
Successful emergency response starts with reliable communications
I’ve been a paramedic and firefighter for more than 30 years, and I’ve seen firsthand how reliable communications impact response times and critical care. Now amid Florida’s hurricane season, communication…