FirstNet and Liberty increase speeds for public safety in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

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October 9, 2025

Key point

• In collaboration with Liberty, our local telecom provider in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, FirstNet has enhanced Public Safety’s 5G connectivity experience on America’s public safety network

Public safety on FirstNet®, Built with AT&T – America’s public safety network – are getting a major boost in their wireless communications in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. With new upgrades to 5G wireless coverage and capacity throughout the islands, Liberty and the FirstNet team at AT&T are enhancing the network experience for local public safety.

The only network built with and for public safety, FirstNet is designed to meet the critical communications needs of first responders throughout the United States and its territories. These updates to the network will boost speeds and improve public safety’s experience in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, allowing them to have more capacity in the field and shave precious seconds off response times.

“FirstNet is dedicated to public safety in Puerto Rico,” said Scott Agnew, President – FirstNet, AT&T. “We are continuing to invest in better coverage, better capacity and better care on the Island, including creating a new Spanish-speaking call center. These enhancements to our network are continuing our mission to give Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands first responders the coverage and capabilities they need.”

With FirstNet, public safety’s traffic is separated from commercial traffic via the FirstNet core – and is always prioritized, giving first responders the connectivity they need during critical moments. These new enhancements connect securely to the dedicated FirstNet core, helping to ensure that Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands public safety personnel stays connected.

Dedicated connectivity

In addition to always-on priority and preemption across 5G, first responders on FirstNet have dedicated connectivity, when and where it’s needed, with Band 14 across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Band 14 is nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the government specifically for FirstNet. We look at Band 14 as public safety’s VIP lane, further elevating their connected experience and emergency response.

“In hurricane season and throughout the year, our mission is simple: keeping first responders connected. By integrating FirstNet into Liberty’s hardened radio access network (RAN) across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, we provide first responders with always-on priority and preemption on a resilient footprint – supported by extended backup power, diversified backhaul and deployable assets. When conditions are toughest and seconds count, FirstNet helps ensure the people who protect our communities can communicate – reliably, securely, end-to-end.” said Victor Vera, Senior RAN Director, Liberty.

What is FirstNet

Created by the U.S. Congress, FirstNet was shaped by the first responder community’s vision following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It is built with AT&T in public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority – an independent authority within the federal government.

Learn more about how FirstNet is supporting Puerto Rico. Individual first responders can also subscribe to FirstNet by calling FirstNet Care at 1-800-574-7000 or by visiting their local Liberty store.

 About FirstNet, Built with AT&T

FirstNet was shaped by the vision of Congress and the first responder community following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Built in an unprecedented public-private partnership, FirstNet stands above commercial offerings. The FirstNet network provides first responders with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when needed, unique benefits like mission-critical services, and high-quality Band 14 spectrum to help save lives and protect communities. The FirstNet Authority has a legislative mandate and self-sustaining business model that ensures public safety’s feedback guides the evolution of FirstNet and requires it to invest program-generated funds back into the network.