MONTPELIER, Vt., Nov. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vermont is
advancing the communications capabilities of its first responders.
Today, Governor Phil Scott announced
his decision to accept the FirstNet and AT&T* plan to
deliver a wireless broadband network to the state's public safety
community. FirstNet will bring advanced technologies that will help
Vermont's first responders save
lives and protect communities.
"It is important that Vermont's
first responders have the best service and access to an
interoperable network that is expected to advance and adapt with
new technology through the next 25 years," said Gov. Scott.
"Vermont faced the choice of
building its own network or using the federal solution. After
thoroughly considering the technological, financial and operational
aspects of both options, I believe the federal plan will more
quickly and sustainably provide our public safety community with
the network it needs to continue its valuable service to
Vermont."
The decision enables FirstNet and AT&T to begin creating an
entirely new wireless ecosystem for public safety communications.
Vermont'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.
AT&T, in a public-private partnership with FirstNet, will
build, operate and maintain the highly secure wireless broadband
communications network for Vermont'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.
"Governor Scott's decision is a win-win-win for the state, its
public safety community, and everyone who lives, works, or
visits in Vermont," said
FirstNet Board Member and former Governor of Vermont, Jim
Douglas. "The FirstNet Network will modernize our emergency
communications infrastructure, help create jobs in the Green
Mountain State, and ensure that our first responders have the best
tools and technologies to keep our communities safe and
secure."
Vermont is the 34th
state or territory to announce its decision to opt in to the
AT&T/FirstNet network solution, and the 8th state to
do so after evaluating proposals from both FirstNet/AT&T and
other potential vendors. This decision brings public safety the
overall best value solution with the least risk.
"I'd like to thank Governor Scott for his leadership and
commitment to public safety, which is clear and unwavering. Opting
in to FirstNet puts Vermont's
first responders on the cutting edge of innovative communications,
helping them operate faster, safer and more effectively when lives
are on the line," said Patricia
Jacobs, president, AT&T New England. "Vermont's first responders, residents and
visitors, alike, will all benefit from the FirstNet solution, which
won't cost the state a dime to build, operate or
maintain."
FirstNet will transform the way Vermont'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 Lake Champlain Maritime Festival in Burlington that attracts thousands of visitors
each year.
- 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 catastrophic
flooding caused by Hurricane Irene, or search-and-rescue missions
for lost skiers or hikers in difficult mountainous terrain.
- Enhance network coverage across Vermont'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 Vermont's network solution with direct input
from the state's public safety community. FirstNet has been meeting
with Vermont's officials and
public safety personnel for several years to address their unique
communication needs. These include:
- Expanding rural coverage across the state, including the
Northeast Kingdom.
- Making Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solutions available to
support Vermont's large contingent
of volunteer responders.
- Utilizing state and municipal infrastructure assests as
necessary and appropriate.
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.
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.
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SOURCE AT&T Inc.