This post originally appeared on the FirstNet^® Built with AT&T blog. NPPGov has reposted it with permission. You can find the original post here.

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Through ongoing public safety feedback and an intentional focus on the unique requirements of emergency response, FirstNet® Built with AT&T is continuously working to bring connectivity, functionality and choice to public safety.

FirstNet is America’s Public Safety Network—designed for every first responder and member of the extended public safety community. With more than 6.1 million connections and over 28,500 public safety agencies and organizations now on FirstNet,¹ we’re ready to help public safety complete its mission.

And as one of America’s largest investors in connectivity, AT&T is proud to serve as a critical infrastructure provider. Earlier this year, together with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), we announced a series of strategic investments that support a robust foundation for 5G on FirstNet, expanded mission-critical services, and enhanced coverage for America’s first responders. This includes launching 1,000 new sites within the next 2 years—more than 160 of these sites have already launched. The continued investment in FirstNet means more coverage, more capabilities, and more capacity for public safety, boosting the safety of our first responders and communities.

FirstNet has proven to be a catalyst for technology and advancement for public safety. And first responders are our priority. We’re helping provide an added layer of connectivity—from new devices and applications to deployable network assets and in-building solutions.

• As agencies are continuing to evolve their mission critical communication to broadband on FirstNet, interoperability between Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and wireless is an increasingly important capability. In June, first responders in Fairfax County made the first interoperable call between LMR and FirstNet Push-To-Talk (FNPTT) using the FirstNet Interworking Function (IWF). Upon its commercial launch, FirstNet IWF will offer direct network-to-network integration and acts as a highly secure interface between wireless and LMR, allowing users to connect with both two-way radios and cellular devices. It was designed exclusively to connect legacy networks like LMR with FirstNet Push-to-Talk users.
• IWF will enable first responders to seamlessly access a functional and secure ecosystem that will afford them the rich capabilities of a broadband network and allow them to communicate with those using legacy LMR networks. This brings more options and better technology to the frontlines. IWF is currently in the Beta phase with several pre-selected agencies.
• FirstNet PTT is already a critical component of emergency response and new upgrades to the platform are improving the overall user experience. Updated enhancements provide users with a familiar Land-Mobile Radio (LMR) experience alongside innovative network capabilities. Users can now access a new, discreet listening feature during emergencies and first responder agencies can quickly request assistance from other public safety agencies during disaster scenarios requiring mutual aid, like storm response. These updates are key for the next generation of first responder devices, like the L3Harris XL Series two-way radios—ruggedized, simplified tools that give users the familiar form factor of a legacy LMR device with enhanced Mission Critical network capabilities available with FNPTT.
• FirstNet continues to bring new capabilities to FirstNet Messaging that allow users to better coordinate with multiple agencies during large scale events. It also allows them to communicate with different audiences, control what media can be shared and define message delivery based on contact lists or geographical areas. Ease of use is at the core of these updates with group chats now easily transformed into video conferences or voice calls instantly and allow users to share locations—giving agencies the power to prioritize communications during special events and emergencies.

These new mission-critical solutions and enhancements are only the latest step for FirstNet. With more than 205 apps in the FirstNet App Catalog and about 800 FirstNet Ready® devices, we are creating more capabilities and a better user experience for all subscribers.

And with storm season in full swing, the FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG) has been working in tandem with the AT&T Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) team to ensure our nationwide fleet of 180+ dedicated deployable FirstNet assets get where they are needed the most.

We recognize the mental, emotional and physical toll disasters can have on first responders. Agencies on FirstNet can request a FirstNet ROG the Dog therapy animals at no additional charge to support the wellbeing of those on the front line.

As America’s first responders continue to answer the call, we remain committed to finding new ways to innovate and enhance FirstNet to provide them with the reliable communications they need—wherever the next mission takes them.