History

2001: Public safety identifies a need

The September 11, 2001, attacks were one of the most devastating events in our nation’s history. The tragedy also revealed fundamental problems with the communications systems used by our nation’s first responders. The radio systems police, fire, and paramedics relied on could not easily operate across agencies, and during the crisis, land and mobile phone lines were overwhelmed by a high volume of calls.

2001-2012: Public safety advocates for its dedicated network

The communications challenges first responders faced that day were captured in the 9/11 Commission Report. The 2004 report identified gaps in emergency communications and recommended a nationwide network for public safety communications.

In the years after the report’s release, public safety organizations and associations came together to press Congress to pass legislation establishing a reliable, dedicated and national high-speed network for first responders.

2012: Congress creates the First Responder Network Authority

The First Responder Network Authority was created as part of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act (PUBLIC LAW 112–96), which was signed into law on February 22, 2012.  The law allocated 20 megahertz of spectrum and $7 billion to establish a broadband network dedicated to the nation's first responders and gave the First Responder Network Authority the mandate to build, operate, and maintain that network.  The inaugural meeting of the FirstNet Board took place on September 25, 2012. 

2012: Consulting with public safety nationwide

The law that established the FirstNet Authority required it to consult with federal, state, tribal, and local public safety entities to ensure that the FirstNet network was designed to meet the needs of public safety across the country. From its 2012 founding through today, consultation is critical to everything at the FirstNet Authority. Consultation informed the Request for Proposal and shaped the State Plans that were issued to every U.S. state and territory.  The FirstNet Authority will continue to engage with public safety to help them realize the operational benefits of the FirstNet Experience. 

2016 - 2017: Forming an innovative public-private partnership

The Act that created the First Responder Network Authority required it to engage in an open, transparent, and competitive RFP process for the deployment of the network.  Informed by years of public safety consultation and data collection, FirstNet issued its objectives-based RFP in January of 2016. FirstNet awarded an innovative 25-year contract to AT&T in March 2017. 

• FirstNet Issues RFP for the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network
• FirstNet Partners with AT&T to Build $46.5 Billion Wireless Broadband Network for America’s First Responders

2016 - 2017: Customized state buildout plans and 56 state/territory opt ins

The years FirstNet spent in consultation with states, territories, tribal governments, and public safety agencies at every level provided FirstNet with a better understanding of the needs of first responders nationwide. After forming its partnership with AT&T, the First Authority issued a customized, digital State Plan outlining how the FirstNet network would be deployed to the governor of each U.S. state and territory. 

At the conclusion of the 90-day decision period, every U.S. governor opted to go with the FirstNet plan. The success of the State Plans process has enabled FirstNet to be deployed faster and truly interoperable. and nationwide. 

• FirstNet and AT&T Advance Nationwide Broadband Network for Public Safety; Release Buildout Plans for States and Territories
• FirstNet Services Now Available for Responders from Coast to Coast
• All 50 States Choose FirstNet Public-Private Partnership for Public Safety Broadband Network

2018: Launching the Network and Innovating for Public Safety

Today: A Catalyst for Public Safety