FirstNet and 5G for Public Safety Agencies

More than 18,500 American public safety agencies and support organizations have adopted FirstNet to manage daily operations and respond in emergency situations with the reliable backing of a dedicated, always-on wireless broadband network. In October 2021, the devices used by these public safety groups accounted for more than 2.8 million connections nationwide, and as access to 5G for first responders expands beyond its current markets, that number will continue to grow.  

With faster speeds and lower latency on the horizon, it’s important for users to understand the current state of FirstNet and the steps they can take to prepare for a more ubiquitous 5G first responder network. 

Originally built for first responders… like law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services, and 911 dispatch teams, FirstNet now also supports other industries such as healthcare providers, utility workers, and school transportation fleets. Essential personnel supporting first responders before, during, or after an emergency are eligible to subscribe to FirstNet to aid in their provision of medical care, disaster response and restoration, and more.    

To meet the mission-critical communication needs of these various teams, FirstNet employs network priority and preemption policies. These policies not only push FirstNet devices to the front of the line when accessing the network, but in severe circumstances, they also give first responders VIP network access by moving or momentarily disconnecting public and commercial users to make room for FirstNet subscribers. When networks are particularly congested, priority and preemption allow first responders to seamlessly connect and communicate.