FirstNet

FirstNet is officially a nation-wide service, as all 50 states, two U.S. territories and Washington D.C. joined the public safety wireless broadband network before the window closed on Dec. 28.

Alabama is the latest state to sign up for the emergency broadband network FirstNet from AT&T, bringing more than half the states under the network.

Virginia is first in line to sign on to the national framework for the FirstNet interoperable emergency communications network.

AT&T has signed on the dotted line for the multi-billion-dollar, 25-year contract to build and maintain FirstNet, the interoperable first responder public safety network.

Last month at its annual Public Media Summit the recently renamed America’s Public Television Stations (APTS), formerly the Association of Public Television Stations, announced efforts to create a national hub and committed to set aside spectrum for an upcoming first-responders network.