Whether it is an everyday emergency or large-scale natural disaster, first responders need to stay connected. But barriers like congested networks and spotty rural coverage have long plagued public safety, who need a reliable and resilient network that makes them the priority.
That critical and foundational need led the federal government to work with AT&T to create FirstNet®, the nation’s only network built with and for America’s first responders.
For the past eight years, FirstNet has continued to grow, now covering more first responders than any other network. FirstNet gives public safety the support and connectivity they need to keep our communities safer.
Check out some of the recent developments making FirstNet stronger than ever.
Built for first responders
Dedicated to public safety, FirstNet gives provides multi-layered connectivity to first responders that help them during day-to-day calls, storms, wildfires, and planned events.
In the last year, we’ve added 20,000 square miles of terrestrial wireless coverage, growing the nation’s largest public safety network to more than 2.99 million square miles — 250,000 more than competing networks on average.
And that growth is only continuing. In April 2025, we announced that we built 1,000 new cell sites to expand Band 14 – public safety’s dedicated lane of connectivity set aside by the federal government. These new sites further support first responders across 46 states and the District of Columbia, enhancing rural coverage and in key public safety locations like fire stations, police departments, courthouses, and hospitals.
Supplementing our terrestrial build, we are also making further advancements in collaboration with AST SpaceMobile to deliver space-based cellular connectivity. So far, we have successfully tested capabilities like mission-critical services.
“Whether in major cities like Boston or rural areas like Butler, Pa., first responders require reliable communication that is always protected in any emergency. An entire dedicated program of ‘firsts,’ FirstNet is setting the bar for public safety communications, so this vital community stays at the forefront of innovative, lifesaving technologies.”
– Scott Agnew, President, FirstNet, AT&T
And during emergencies, we are providing support that’s far beyond anything public safety has ever seen. Our Response Operations Group (ROG) is led by former first responders and guides the deployment of the FirstNet fleet — 180+ deployable network assets that provide critical connectivity during storms and events. ROG is available at a moment’s notice to help ensure public safety agencies have the connectivity they need – whenever and wherever they need it.
Out of reach, no more
In addition to FirstNet’s expansive network, we also have a growing selection of innovative tools and technology to help first responders bring their service with them.
Basements, stairwells, and garages are a few examples of places where a reliable connection is hard to come by. Our portfolio of high-power user equipment (HPUEs) – such as the new Nextivity SHIELD MegaFi 2 router – helps solve that issue and brings connectivity solutions in building and on-the-go. With 6x the signal power of other carriers, exclusively available with Band 14, these 5G-enabled devices provide better building penetration, broader coverage, and faster uplink.
First responder agencies across the country have also received free Cell Booster Pros, miniature cell sites that boost local signals. There are now more than 11,000 of these miniature cell sites in public safety buildings across the country and we continue to deploy more.
“The breadth of FirstNet coverage, combined with our unparalleled network visibility, gives first responders the capabilities they need to keep our communities safer. Whether a first responder is in a remote area after disasters like Hurricane Helene or in the middle of New York City, FirstNet gives them the peace of mind that they will be connected – that’s the FirstNet promise.”
– Scott Agnew, President, FirstNet, AT&T
If you’d like to be part of keeping that promise, join our team of innovators.
Explore careersFirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority.
You Might Also Like
