FirstNet Launches Ruthless Preemption for First Responders

Preemption is a mission-critical feature that enables first responders on FirstNet to communicate and coordinate during emergencies, large events or other situations where commercial networks can become congested.

"As a first responder on 9/11, I experienced the communications challenges that can happen in large emergencies as networks become congested and overwhelmed," said Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Chief Richard Bowers. "Now, with the launch of preemption on FirstNet, for the first time, public safety is ensured a 'fast lane' to connect. FirstNet will provide reliability, confidence and ability for first responders to be able to communicate during emergency operations. Virginia was first in to opt in, and we're all in to ensure emergency communications are seamless for first responders."

Preemption is immediately available in opt-in states at no additional charge to current and future FirstNet subscribers who are primary users. Primary users include fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency managers, dispatch and Public Safety Answering Points.

Preemption will enhance priority services already available on FirstNet. Priority moves first responders to the front of the "communications line," prioritizing their network needs. Preemption goes a step further to make sure first responders can access FirstNet when they need to, 24/7/365. When the line becomes crowded, it shifts non-emergency traffic to another line, freeing up space for first responders to easily get through. Calls or texts to 911 will never be shifted from the network. 

"First responders have been very clear about their immediate need for preemption. During the collaborative conversations that shaped our FirstNet plan, preemption continually topped the list of mission-critical tools first responders wanted to see first on the network," said Chris Sambar, senior vice president, AT&T – FirstNet. "So, we promised to make it available by the end of the year. And we're proud to honor that commitment. This is game-changing for first responders, and as far as we know, this is the first-ever launch of preemption at this scale in the world."

With the power of priority and preemption, first responders will no longer have to compete with non-emergency users for a connection. They'll be able to reliably connect to the network to get the information they need when they need it. Voice and text messages, images, videos, location information, data from apps and more will be supported in real time, helping first responders quickly work together to save lives.

"The launch of preemption is a tremendous achievement for public safety personnel – who have asked for, fought for, and needed this solution for years," said First Responder Network Authority CEO Mike Poth. "We are pleased that FirstNet is the first broadband network to deliver this capability to public safety."

An opt-out state will not be able to offer its first responders access to a similar capability until its alternative plan is approved and Band 14 is deployed, which will likely take years. 

For more information on FirstNet, please go to FirstNet.gov/mediakit and att.com/FirstResponderNews. For more about the value FirstNet will bring to public safety, please go to FirstNet.com.

To learn more about the core team AT&T is working with to help achieve the FirstNet mission – Motorola Solutions, General Dynamics, Sapient Consulting and Inmarsat Government – go here.

*About The First Responder Network Authority
The First Responder Network Authority is an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Chartered in 2012, its mission is to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of the nationwide, broadband network that equips first responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities. Learn more at FirstNet.gov/mediakit and follow FirstNet (@FirstNetGov) on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

**About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, business, mobile and high speed internet services. We offer the nation's best data network** and the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless provider. We're one of the world's largest providers of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. Nearly 3.5 million companies, from small to large businesses around the globe, turn to AT&T for our highly secure smart solutions. 

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© 2017 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

**Claim based on the Nielsen Certified Data Network Score. Score includes data reported by wireless consumers in the Nielsen Mobile Insights survey, network measurements from Nielsen Mobile Performance and Nielsen Drive Test Benchmarks for Q2 + Q3 2017 across 121 markets.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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