FirstNet Expands Coverage for America's First Responders, Surpasses 7 Million Connections

DALLAS, March 31, 2025 /CNW/ -- Innovative solutions enhance in-building connectivity and give public safety unprecedented visibility into their network

Key Takeaways:

• AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) deliver robust, multi-layered coverage – now for 7M+ connections.
• With the largest network footprint in the country, FirstNet now covers 2.99M+ square miles.
• We have expanded our portfolio of enhanced coverage solutions to further first responders' dedicated in-building and on-the-go connectivity.
• Our industry-first Network Status Map on FirstNet Central gives agencies an unprecedented look into network health and operations.

FirstNet^®, Built with AT&T – the only 5G network built with and for America's first responders – is now bringing new multi-layered coverage and unprecedented network insight to more than 7 million public safety connections¹.

FirstNet already gives responders coverage across the nation's largest footprint, and we have added 20,000 square miles of terrestrial wireless coverage in the last year – more than twice the size of New Jersey – growing public safety's network to more than 2.99 million square miles across urban, suburban, rural, territory and tribal areas. That's 250,000 square miles more than competing wireless networks on average, giving first responders the critical connectivity they need, where they need it.

"When our officers were deployed to impacted areas of North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, FirstNet was there for us," said Chief Jeffrey Ackerman, Town of Duck Police Department. "With reliable connectivity on FirstNet, we were able to communicate with our team and other agencies while in remote areas. From search and rescue to welfare checks and even connecting an isolated resident to her husband, FirstNet helped us better serve the local community."

Emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. That's why, in partnership with the First Responder Network Authority, we have created an expansive network that supplements macro coverage with layers of in-building and on-the-go solutions that deliver dedicated connectivity for public safety and the essential services they rely on, like utilities and hospitals. And no matter how first responders are connected to the FirstNet network, they always have priority and preemption across 5G, LTE and Band 14.

We're also making significant advancements with AST SpaceMobile to deliver space-based cellular connectivity that supports features that first responders need. We have already successfully tested mission-critical capabilities such as push-to-talk services, because even in hard-to-reach areas, public safety needs more than simple text messaging.

Indoor locations like basements, stairwells and garages are some of the most difficult places to reliably connect. As the only network able to offer public safety 6x the signal power of other carriers, we have expanded our portfolio of FirstNet MegaRange™ coverage solutions with the new Nextivity SHIELD MegaFi 2 router. Available in fixed, portable and in-vehicle form factors, these routers are 5G-enabled high-power user equipment (HPUE) that provide better building penetration, broader coverage, and faster uplink.

As part of the FirstNet Authority's ongoing investments, thousands of first responder agencies across the country have also received free Cell Booster Pros – and we continue to deploy more. There are now more than 11,000 of these miniature cell sites in public safety buildings across the country – that's like connecting roughly 60 Empire State Buildings.

Unprecedented Insight into Public Safety's Network

FirstNet is public safety's network, so they deserve unprecedented visibility into it. With the enhanced Network Status Map on FirstNet Central – an industry first – users can now quickly access detailed and current information on the state of the network and key applications, including maintenance and restoration updates, and the location of on-air portable cell sites from the dedicated FirstNet fleet. Users can see this information at the state, county, and hyper-local levels, as well as subscribe to automated notifications – all of which helps them stay prepared and operate more seamlessly.

"As public safety's one and only network – not a commercial slice of a network built for the general population – our unwavering commitment to reliable and resilient communications is foundational to everything we do," said Scott Agnew, president of FirstNet, AT&T. "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."

To learn more about FirstNet, go to FirstNet.com. Individual first responders can also subscribe to FirstNet at their local AT&T store, and save 25% for their family members on the AT&T commercial network².

FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

¹ As of Q1 2025
² Requires a FirstNet Unlimited smartphone plan line of service (min $42.99/mo.) and an AT&T Unlimited plan line of service (min. $75.99/mo. before discounts). AT&T may slow data speeds on consumer lines if the AT&T network is busy.

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, 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.

© 2025 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.

SOURCE AT&T

Megan Frye, AT&T Corporate Communications, Phone: [phone], Email: [e-mail]