Press Releases

The FirstNet Authority marked a significant milestone with release of a new Roadmap for the future of FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network.

FirstNet continues to gain rapid momentum with over 750,000 device connections being used by more than 9,000 public safety agencies.

Warren County’s first responders got a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of two new, purpose-built cell sites. The sites – located in Warrenton and near Lake Gaston – are part of the FirstNet network expansion taking place in North Carolina, which is bringing increased coverage, capacity and capabilities to first responders across the state.

FirstNet Authority Board Chair Edward Horowitz provided keynote remarks at the 2019 Public Safety Broadband Stakeholder Meeting. Hosted by the Public Safety Communications Research Division within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, this annual conference brings together public safety officials to discuss research initiatives and prize challenges in the field of public safety communications. 

The FirstNet Authority continues its progress on developing a Roadmap to advance the only broadband network dedicated to public safety – FirstNet – and deliver a differentiated broadband communications experience to our nation’s first responders.

First responders serving the Red Cliff Reservation got a major boost in their access to broadband communications with the addition of a new, purpose-built cell site. The new Infrastructure will improve connectivity for tribal first responders and expand rural broadband access for the tribal community.

First responders in Preston County got a major boost in their wireless communications with the launch of a FirstNet cell site. The site – located in Fellowsville – is part of the FirstNet network expansion taking place in West Virginia, which is bringing purpose-built coverage, capacity, and capabilities to first responders across the state.

FirstNet continues to gain rapid momentum with 600,000+ device connections being used by more than 7,250 public safety agencies.

The FirstNet Authority unveiled new initiatives to shape the future of public safety’s network and advance a dedicated FirstNet experience that will transform public safety operations to help save lives and protect communities.

The FirstNet Authority and University of Mississippi Medical Center today signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on innovation for emergency medical care and response as well as mobile broadband for rural first responders in Mississippi and nationwide.

Public safety communications in Baltimore County got a critical upgrade with the launch of a new, purpose-built cell site. The site – located on Hazelwood Avenue – is part of Maryland’s FirstNet build, which is bringing increased coverage and capacity to first responders across the state.

The FirstNet network is enabling more resilient communities nationwide. With more than 5,250 public safety agencies using 425,000+ connections on FirstNet today, the network is helping first responders and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

AT&T customers and FirstNet subscribers got a big boost in wireless connectivity last year. We increased the LTE coverage area for the AT&T network and FirstNet public safety communications platform by more than 50,000 square miles nationwide, covering an additional 1 million individuals.

The FirstNet Authority capped off a year of significant progress for public safety by welcoming new members to the Board and outlining an enhanced strategic direction for the organization.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the appointment of six individuals to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority, including five new members. The following are statements on today’s announcement from the FirstNet Board Chair, Edward Horowitz, and the six appointees.

More than 3,600 public safety agencies across the country have now joined FirstNet. That’s a nearly 50% increase in the number of agencies subscribing to the nationwide public safety communications platform in less than 2 months.

The First Responder Network Authority and the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced today that Edward Parkinson will serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer, following the recent resignation of Mike Poth, who had served as CEO since 2015.

More than 2,500 public safety agencies across the country have joined FirstNet. This is nearly double the number of agencies since the last update in July.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announced today that Chair Edward Horowitz has named Sheriff Richard W. Stanek to be Vice Chair of the Board, effective immediately. Appointed to the FirstNet Board in 2014, Sheriff Stanek has served on the Board’s Public Safety Advocacy Committee, where he has helped strengthen relationships with the Nation’s law enforcement community

Today, the FirstNet Authority and the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has reappointed Edward Horowitz to the FirstNet Authority Board and named him Chair of the Board for a two-year term.