FirstNet Brings First Responders Innovative Mission-Ready Communications Tools
January 26, 2021
What’s the news? FirstNet, Built with AT&T* – America’s public safety network – is driving innovation in lifesaving, public safety technology. Now, first responders have access to 4 new mission-driven solutions exclusively available to all FirstNet subscribers: FirstNet® MegaRange™, Z-Axis, FirstNet Compact Rapid Deployables™ and Land-Mobile-Radio (LMR) interoperability for FirstNet Push-to-Talk (PTT). And, for the 3rd consecutive year, Frost & Sullivan recognizes AT&T for driving visionary innovation in public safety by introducing ‘smart’ solutions that cater to the evolving demands of first responders.
FirstNet MegaRange™: Following 3GPP and FCC standards, FirstNet is the only network where public safety can take advantage of the highest power class signaling available in the U.S. with FirstNet MegaRange™, the high-power user equipment (HPUE) solution exclusively available on Band 14. For rural, remote and maritime first responders, MegaRange™ can significantly improve connectivity especially at the edge of network coverage. And for urban and suburban responders, this can help solve the common challenge of difficult coverage spots. The stronger signal may better assist those connecting from hard-to-reach places like building shadows, parking garages, basements, elevators, and stairwells, helping first responders communicate inside and out. Learn everything you need to know about FirstNet MegaRange™ here.
FirstNet MegaRange:
Extending First Responder Connectivity Like Never Before
January 26, 2021
FirstNet®
– America’s public safety network – has launched new solutions to help first responders across the U.S. better connect to each other and the information they need to carry out their daily, life-saving missions. And today, we’re bringing public safety a game changer: FirstNet® MegaRange™.This high-power user equipment (HPUE) solution provides America’s first responders with significant coverage benefits. But, in case you’re unfamiliar with HPUE, here are 3 things you need to know:
- Following 3GPP and FCC standards, power class 1 HPUE solutions can transmit stronger signals.
- This increased signal can only be transmitted using Band 14 spectrum – the nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the U.S. government specifically for FirstNet.
- That means FirstNet is the only network where public safety can take advantage of the highest power class signaling available in the U.S.
But what does all this really mean?
FirstNet MegaRange helps improve coverage issues, whether at the edges of coverage or in dense urban environments. It provides the greatest benefit in areas where data connectivity is traditionally unreliable, such as remote regions, rural areas, and maritime environments. It also boosts coverage in metropolitan areas that have challenges with cellular signal penetration through buildings and underground parking structures. The stronger signal may better assist those connecting from hard-to-reach places like building shadows (a coverage hole caused by dense urban surroundings), tunnels, basements, elevators, stairwells and parking garages – helping first responders communicate inside and out.
