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Congressman Jason Smith Join AT&T and FirstNet to Unveil New Cell Sites in Southeastern Missouri to Support First Responders and Residents
New Infrastructure Helps Advance Public Safety Communications, Improves Connectivity for Area Residents and Visitors
What’s the news? Southeastern Missouri’s first responders and residents are getting another major boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet® network expansion currently underway by AT&T*.
We’ve added new, purpose-built cell sites in the area to increase coverage in and around the following 7 counties: Crawford, Iron, Douglas, Shannon, Texas, Washington and Wright. These sites were constructed using Band 14, public safety’s spectrum, as well as AT&T commercial spectrum.
AT&T also launched additional new sites in the following 14 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Franklin, Iron, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, St. Francois, St. Genevieve, Stoddard, Washington and Wayne.
Band 14 is nationwide, high quality spectrum set aside by the government specifically for FirstNet. We look at Band 14 as public safety’s VIP lane. In an emergency, this band – or lane – can be cleared just for FirstNet subscribers. These sites are giving first responders on FirstNet – America’s public safety network – access to always-on, 24-hours-a-day priority and preemption across voice and data.
This broadband infrastructure was announced during a special event at the Caledonia Firehouse that featured Congressman Jason Smith and State Senator Elaine Gannon, as well as officials from AT&T.
John M. Robinson III, Mayor of Caledonia, kicked off the event, which also featured Craig Unruh, President, AT&T Missouri. Other elected officials, as well as officials from the Washington County and Farmington Chambers of Commerce, Washington County Commissioners, first responders, and business leaders were also present to hear about the investment in the region.
These are the most recent purpose-built FirstNet sites launched in Missouri. In February of 2021, AT&T and FirstNet announced new purpose-built cell sites in 18 counties across the state.
How does this help Missouri residents, businesses and visitors? The FirstNet network expansion is one way AT&T is helping to bridge the rural-urban digital divide to help ensure all of public safety – and the communities they serve – have access to critical connectivity to help meet the urgent challenges of today and tomorrow. This new infrastructure will also help improve the overall coverage and network capacity experience for AT&T wireless customers in southeastern Missouri. Residents, visitors and businesses can take advantage of the AT&T commercial spectrum bands, as well as Band 14 when additional capacity is available.
What are the benefits to first responders? Building upon AT&T’s current and planned investments in Missouri, we’re actively extending the reach of FirstNet to give agencies large and small and volunteer individual first responders the reliable connectivity and modern communications tools they need.
We consider FirstNet the most important wireless network in the country because it serves our first responders. And unlike commercial networks, FirstNet provides dedicated nationwide mobile broadband built with and for first responders. To help ensure AT&T and the FirstNet Authority are putting coverage and capacity where first responders need it most, the FirstNet build is guided by direct feedback from state and public safety officials. This helps ensure Missouri’s first responders connect to the critical information they need – every day and in every emergency.
What is FirstNet? FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community. Shaped by the vision of Congress and the first responder community following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, FirstNet stands above commercial offerings. It is built with AT&T in public-private partnership with the FirstNet Authority – an independent agency within the federal government. With more than 17,000 public safety agencies and organizations subscribed – accounting for more than 2.5 million connections nationwide1 – the FirstNet network provides the first responders with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it. These advanced capabilities enable FirstNet to help fire, EMS, EMA, law enforcement, and 9-1-1 personnel save lives and protect their communities.
Where can I find more information? Visit midwestregion.att.com/states/Missouri/ to learn more about how AT&T is supporting Missouri. For more about the value FirstNet is bringing to public safety, check out FirstNet.com. And go here for more FirstNet news.
What people are saying:
Congressman Jason Smith
Missouri’s 8th Congressional District
“Having the right tools to connect first responders is vital for Missourians in crisis. Access to high-speed wireless broadband will help keep our community safe and alert during severe events because when disaster strikes, our emergency personnel need to be able to communicate quickly and effectively. It can be the difference in critical situations.”
Craig Unruh
President, AT&T Missouri
“We want our customers to have a great experience. With AT&T service enhanced by all these new wireless towers, they’ll be able to experience better network connectivity while steaming video, sharing on social media or connecting virtually with family and friends. We are investing in our wireless network to help connect both residents and the public safety community. Missouri first responders deserve reliable, highly secure connectivity to communicate during disasters and everyday emergencies–and that’s precisely why they now have FirstNet. I’m grateful for the leaders in this State like Congressman Smith for ensuring that our men and women in uniform are given the best opportunities to be successful and save lives.”
Chief Richard Carrizzo
Vice Chair, FirstNet Authority Board and Fire Chief for Southern Platte Fire Protection District, Kansas City, MO
“FirstNet is a critical communications tool for Missouri’s first responders that ensures they can connect when it matters most – to help save a life and protect our communities. The FirstNet Authority worked together with public safety across our state to understand their needs for the network. It is exciting to see FirstNet continue to expand mobile broadband coverage and capacity across Missouri where public safety needs it most.”
FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
1As of Q2 2021
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