Name
FirstNet Authority
Description
The First Responder Network Authority, or the FirstNet Authority, is an independent agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and oversees Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network or FirstNet - the nation’s communications network dedicated to emergency responders and the public safety community.
The FirstNet Authority was established after September 11, 2001, to create a single, nationwide broadband network specifically for first responders, when radios relied on by police, fire, and paramedics did not easily operate across different agencies and, land and mobile phone lines were overwhelmed by a high volume of calls. The legislation creating our agency resulted from public safety’s diligent advocacy for a better communications network requires us to ensure public safety’s voice is represented in the buildout and evolution of the FirstNet network.
FirstNet is built through a first-of-its-kind private-public partnership with AT&T. The network’s initial five-year buildout was launched in 2018. The FirstNet Authority oversees the buildout, deployment, and operation of FirstNet, making sure it delivers what public safety needs from a network.
The FirstNet Authority was established after September 11, 2001, to create a single, nationwide broadband network specifically for first responders, when radios relied on by police, fire, and paramedics did not easily operate across different agencies and, land and mobile phone lines were overwhelmed by a high volume of calls. The legislation creating our agency resulted from public safety’s diligent advocacy for a better communications network requires us to ensure public safety’s voice is represented in the buildout and evolution of the FirstNet network.
FirstNet is built through a first-of-its-kind private-public partnership with AT&T. The network’s initial five-year buildout was launched in 2018. The FirstNet Authority oversees the buildout, deployment, and operation of FirstNet, making sure it delivers what public safety needs from a network.
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