- FirstNet now covers 2.99M+ square miles, exceeding competitors by 250K square miles.
- New Network Status Map provides real-time visibility into network health for public safety agencies.
What happened: FirstNet accelerates public safety connectivity with expanded coverage and visibility
FirstNet, the dedicated 5G network for U.S. first responders built in partnership with AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority, has surpassed 7 million connections while significantly expanding its coverage and capabilities. The network now spans over 2.99 million square miles – 250,000 square miles more than average commercial networks – ensuring connectivity in urban, rural, and disaster-prone areas. Recent upgrades include 20,000 square miles of terrestrial coverage added in the past year, equivalent to twice the size of New Jersey.
A key advancement is the Network Status Map, an industry-first tool on FirstNet Central that allows agencies to monitor network health, maintenance updates, and portable cell site locations in real time. This granular visibility, available at state, county, and hyper-local levels, helps agencies optimise emergency responses. For example, during Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, Duck Police Chief Jeffrey Ackerman credited FirstNet’s reliability for enabling critical communication in remote zones, including search-and-rescue coordination and welfare checks.
The network also introduced Nextivity SHIELD MegaFi 2 routers, part of its MegaRange™ solutions, which amplify signal power by 6x compared to commercial carriers. These 5G-enabled routers improve penetration in challenging environments like basements and garages. Over 11,000 free Cell Booster Pros – miniature cell sites – have been deployed in public safety buildings nationwide, equivalent to covering 60 Empire State Buildings.
Collaborations with AST SpaceMobile aim to integrate space-based cellular connectivity, tested successfully for mission-critical push-to-talk services. FirstNet’s multi-layered approach prioritises public safety traffic across 5G, LTE, and Band 14, ensuring uninterrupted service during emergencies.
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Why it’s important
FirstNet’s expanded coverage addresses critical gaps in public safety communications, particularly in rural and disaster-impacted regions where commercial networks often fail. With 70% of emergency calls originating from mobile devices, reliable connectivity directly impacts response times and lives saved. The network’s 2.99 million square mile footprint ensures agencies operate cohesively across jurisdictions, a necessity during wildfires, hurricanes, or mass events.
The Network Status Map’s real-time data reduces operational downtime by enabling agencies to preemptively reroute communications during outages. Enhanced in-building solutions like MegaFi 2 routers mitigate connectivity challenges in structures where signals traditionally weaken, such as hospitals or underground facilities.
Space-based connectivity trials with AST SpaceMobile could revolutionise emergency response in areas with no terrestrial infrastructure, such as remote forests or oceans. FirstNet’s prioritisation protocols ensure that first responders’ traffic bypasses civilian network congestion, a feature validated during crises like Hurricane Helene.
With over 11,000 Cell Booster Pros deployed, the network strengthens redundancy, a cornerstone of disaster resilience. These advancements collectively address longstanding vulnerabilities in public safety communications, aligning with federal mandates for interoperable emergency networks post-9/11.
