FirstNet says nearly 2,500 agencies have signed onto the broadband public safety network — nearly double the number it announced in July.
AT&T/FirstNet SVP Chris Sambar says in a blog post there’s been a spike in the number of public safety agencies subscribing. “FirstNet offers enhanced security on a dedicated network that prioritizes first responder communications. And it doesn’t throttle.”
That’s likely a reference to the Santa Clara County Fire Department’s allegations (as reported in Inside Towers’August 24 story: Verizon Says Throttling CA Firefighters During Wildfire Was a ‘Mistake’) that Verizon slowed their data speeds when they were fighting a wildfire, because they had gone over their data limit. Verizon said that was an error and has since corrected that policy for first responders.
FirstNet subscribers benefit from enhanced connectivity in remote locations, near real-time data sharing and improved situational awareness according to Sambar. He includes a quote from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Chief Mike Duyck, who says his crews have been battling wildfires in Oregon. “During each [fire], FirstNet has proved its value as public safety’s network platform,” he says, adding FirstNet allows them to “elevate our ability to effectively and efficiently achieve our mission.”
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