Missouri to Transform Communications for Public Safety; Governor Greitens Approves Buildout Plan for First Responder Network

"Governor Greitens' decision to opt-in to FirstNet is the right choice for our state and for our first responders. We are pleased to work with AT&T and FirstNet to ensure that the public safety community gets to use and benefit from the latest technological innovations," said Missouri Director of Public Safety Charles "Drew" Juden III.

AT&T, in a public-private partnership with FirstNet, will build, operate and maintain a highly secure wireless broadband communications network for Missouri's public safety community at no cost to the state. The FirstNet network will drive innovation and create an entire system of modernized devices, apps and tools for first responders.

Following an in-depth evaluation of the proposed AT&T and FirstNet plan, as well as proposals by other potential vendors, Missouri selected the FirstNet and AT&T public-private partnership, bringing public safety the overall best value solution with the least risk. 

FirstNet will transform the way Missouri's fire, police, EMS and other public safety personnel communicate and share information. Specifically, it will:

• Connect first responder subscribers to the critical information they need in a highly secure manner when handling day-to-day operations, responding to emergencies and supporting large events like the Missouri State Fair, which draws daily crowds close to 30,000.
• Create an efficient communications experience for public safety personnel in agencies and jurisdictions across the state during natural disasters and severe weather events like the floods that caused 24 Missouri counties to be declared natural disaster areas.
• Enhance network coverage across Missouri's diverse landscape, benefitting first responders and residents throughout the state's rural and tribal areas.
• Drive infrastructure investments and create jobs across the state.
• Usher in a new wave of dependable innovations for first responders. This will create an ever-evolving set of life-saving tools for public safety, including public safety apps, specialized devices and Internet of Things technologies. It also carries the potential for future integration with NextGen 911 networks and Smart Cities' infrastructure.

FirstNet and AT&T designed Missouri's network solution with direct input from the state's public safety community. FirstNet has been meeting with Missouri's officials and public safety personnel for several years to address their unique communication needs. These include expanding coverage beyond what is currently available, particularly in rural areas and along jurisdictional borders, as well as making dedicated network assets available that could be deployed as needed to support public safety's needs. 

"Governor Greitens' decision demonstrates his strong commitment to public safety throughout the Show-Me State," said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth. "We look forward to delivering the interoperable, high speed network that will help first responders share information and communicate seamlessly when saving lives and protecting communities across Missouri."

The decision enables FirstNet and AT&T to begin creating an entirely new wireless ecosystem for public safety communications. Missouri's first responder subscribers will have immediate access to quality of service and priority to voice and data across the existing nationwide AT&T LTE network.

Preemption for primary users over the AT&T LTE network is expected by year-end. This means fire, police, EMS and other public safety workers will have dedicated access to the network when and where they need it – 24/7/365, like their mission.

"The dedication of Governor Greitens and his staff to first responders was readily apparent in their opt-in considerations, as well as in their decision. It's a pleasure to work with an administration whose commitment to public safety is so closely aligned with our own," said John Sondag, president of AT&T Missouri. "AT&T is honored to bring this dedicated, interoperable public safety broadband network to Missouri, and connect its public safety community to advanced tools that will help save and preserve lives."

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.

About FirstNet
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) 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. 

AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at facebook.com/att and on YouTube at youtube.com/att.

© 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 Q1 + Q2 2017 across 121 markets.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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