FirstNet network investments

You cover the community. We cover you.

Officers with the town of Duck, NC, police department outside their vehicles. The town is on FirstNet, benefitting from the platform’s reliability, connectivity, and operability during everyday operations as well as during emergencies such as hurricane evacuations.

Enhanced coverage and capabilities for today, tomorrow and beyond.

FirstNet is the only network built with and for first responders

It is the only dedicated communications platform in the country that brings public safety:

Always-on 24x7 priority and preemption for first responders across voice and data communications

Always-on 24x7 priority and preemption for first responders across voice and data communications

The only network built with and for first responders, never competing with commercial traffic

The only network built with and for first responders, never competing with commercial traffic

Government oversight and accountability from the FirstNet Authority

Government oversight and accountability from the FirstNet Authority

2.91M+ square miles of LTE coverage nationwide

2.91M+ square miles of LTE coverage nationwide

250K+ square miles more than commercial networks

250K+ square miles more than commercial networks

95%+ Band 14 coverage completion; well ahead of schedule

95%+ Band 14 coverage completion; well ahead of schedule

FirstNet already covers over 99% of both the U.S. population and its geography today and we are actively extending the nationwide reach of FirstNet. Read more about FirstNet cell sites launching nationwide to support public safety.

5G built for public safety

FirstNet will deliver end-to-end mobility solutions from connectivity fundamentals to the latest in 5G technologies. Our approach to 5G is unlike anything else. We’ve upgraded the dedicated FirstNet network core to enable reliable 5G connectivity. While 5G will ultimately bring a combination of benefits like ultra-low latency and ultra-high speeds to support all kinds of users, it’s essential we approach 5G in a different way for first responders. That’s why, with FirstNet, we’re taking the right steps for public safety in a way that meets their unique mission needs.

What 5G with FirstNet means for you

  • Speed

    Improved speed for uploading, downloading, streaming, and sharing content.

  • Low latency

    Faster response times for mission critical applications.

  • Reliability

    Trusted network that intuitively manages traffic so talk, text, and data, works on ordinary – and extraordinary - days.

  • Innovation

    Enable new purpose-built technology to help make communities safer and save lives.

Purpose-built enhancements

Uniting the unmatched benefits of FirstNet with the future promises of 5G can unlock a whole new world of public safety potential. 

As it does today, the FirstNet network will intuitively manage traffic so that public safety has the ultimate user experience – sending the data through the best route. That could be 5G or it could be 4G LTE with priority and preemption for first responders.

5G+

5G+ provides even faster 5G service, enabling new experiences and improved connectivity. 5G+ is available in select innovation zones and airports in over 20 states across the US. To see if your device is compatible with the FirstNet 5G+ network, check the details for your device.

5G+ availability

“As the largest juvenile probation department in Texas, it is essential our teams in the field have not only reliable communications, but connectivity built and designed specifically for public safety. And that’s exactly what FirstNet is. Being a part of the FirstNet 5G+ trial in Houston has given our team a glimpse into the future of what next-generation technology can provide for our first responders and the communities we serve, and we look forward to seeing public safety’s network continue to advance for years to come.


Leroy Barrera,
Administrator of Information Technology,
Harris County Juvenile Probation Department

 

Explore 5G+

5G+ for FirstNet requires compatible plan and device. 5G+ may not be available in your area.