• May 18, 2022

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On May 4, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board approved an investment to expand in-building coverage using small-cell technologies. This will allow FirstNet’s network contractor, AT&T, to make an indoor coverage extension service available to primary FirstNet subscribing agencies as a RAN (Radio Access Network) extension.

The investment will look to increase FirstNet coverage where public safety agencies operate indoors, including police headquarters, fire stations, Emergency Communication Centers, and other critical sites and field locations.

“Public safety is at the center of our investment process – the FirstNet Authority is laser focused on making sure the network continues to provide the communications they need for their mission,” said FirstNet Authority Board Chair Steve Benjamin. “Through our dialogue with public safety, they point to in-building coverage as a top priority for FirstNet. With this investment, we will enhance indoor coverage, provide an additional layer of network resiliency, and give public safety the ability to deploy this service where and when they need it the most.”

This network extension will allow for stronger in-building access to FirstNet and increase the density of cellular connections, including to the network’s priority and preemption services. This investment comes after previous FirstNet Authority investments to increase network coverage by expanding FirstNet’s deployable fleet for public safety.

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Sources:

firstnet.gov/newsroom/press-releases/firstnet-authority-board-approves-network-investment-enhance-building?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=212187216&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_JlaFLwWgWgqn4xjr5kcWaePZGnGWq4E4eqj7xpF8wlq9OyN_mX7DI2u-PJv6Y-VZAMP7ISWFxz5GyhAaReuXsH5D10w&utm_content=212187216&utm_source=hs_email

rcrwireless.com/20220506/featured/firstnet-focuses-on-in-building-coverage

gcn.com/public-safety/2022/05/firstnet-boosts-building-coverage/366513/