AT&T, FirstNet Unveil Comms Network Core for First Responders

AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority have launched a network core designed to support first responders’ communication needs.

The company said Tuesday the FirstNet network core infrastructure will serve as an exclusive national broadband network for first responders and will help facilitate data transmission in support of public safety personnel.

The packet core will provide first responders access to the First Priority service, Incident Management Portal, location-based services, push-to-talk communications and other mission-critical services.

“The launch of the network core comes a year into the FirstNet public-private partnership,” said Chris Sambar, senior vice president for AT&T-FirstNet.

The launch of the network core is part of a potential $6.5 billion contract AT&T received in March 2017 to build and operate a national emergency broadband network.

AT&T will start transitioning more customers to the FirstNet network core between April and May once it completes the controlled introduction phase.