AT&T recently celebrated the six-year anniversary of being selected by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to build a manage a nationwide broadband network dedicated to the first responder community. That deal has been a key part of AT&T’s 5G network build and has been a proving ground for its network virtualization efforts.

The FirstNet initiative was born out of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that showed a crippling lack of network robustness and the need for a unified communications network. AT&T was awarded the FirstNet contract in early 2017, which included 20 megahertz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band and $6.5 billion in government funding to be used to construct a nationwide 4G LTE network.

AT&T at that time said it would spend around $40 billion over the 25-year term of the contract to build and support the FirstNet network.

Matt Walsh, AVP for products and development for FirstNet and NextGen 911 at AT&T, explained in an interview with SDxCentral that the carrier was now supporting approximately 4.4 million FirstNet connections across more than 25,000 public safety agencies.

The network itself continues to be reliant on 4G LTE technology but takes advantage of AT&T’s extensive network virtualization efforts that power its 5G network.

AT&T explained that the FirstNet network operates as a “physically separate, highly secure network core that goes well beyond standard commercial network security measures.”

“The majority of the FirstNet network functions are virtualized, running on FirstNet-dedicated cloud hardware deployed within multiple AT&T data centers,” the carrier noted. “The network functions that are not virtualized run on redundant, dedicated solutions.”

Walsh explained that the continued reliance on 4G LTE is mostly due to technology maturity, which provides for a broader selection of devices and services. Interestingly, he noted push-to-talk services similar to legacy land mobile radio (LMR) services remains one of the most used by the public service community.

“Building the capabilities for that mission critical to also interact with land mobile radio providers so that you can have users that exist on the same communication network – as far as a first responder will view it, whether they're using that large handheld Motorola radio or they're using their mission critical push-to-touch handset from FirstNet,” Walsh said.

One of the most recent device updates is the launch of a more portable wireless network module. The miniCRD (compact rapid deployable) consists of a pair of suitcase-sized ruggedized packages that can be carried and deployed by a single person.

The packages include all of the necessary components to set up a limited-range cellular network. This includes cellular antennas that can beam out a signal up to half-a-mile using FirstNet’s 700 MHz band 14 signal and satellite backhaul capabilities.

These can be purchased by public safety agencies and are targeted at deployment in areas with limited FirstNet connectivity.

Walsh said these units are much easier to deploy than the traditional CRD that is designed to be moved using a vehicle trailer hitch.

“These items you could check on an airplane if you wanted to, to be able to remotely establish cell coverage and network and backhaul,” Walsh explained.

While still reliant on 4G LTE, AT&T did use the FirstNet deal to boost its initial 5G deployments. As part of deploying equipment at its towers to support the network, the carrier also installed equipment to support 5G services.

“The beautiful thing around FirstNet is: it’s really a reason to go touch the towers,” AT&T’s President of Operations Scott Mair said during an investor conference in late 2018. “And as we’re touching the towers, we’re implementing what we call our 5G Evolution program. And what that means is when we touch a tower, we’re actually upgrading that tower.”

Walsh said AT&T’s near-term focus is on expanding FirstNet coverage into current gaps, with a longer-term plan to look at further integrating 5G network technology and devices into the service.

“I think the eventual shift to 5G from what standards are available, making sure that they also have full access and capabilities from a 5G perspective,” Walsh said. “That's probably how I would best summarize the go forward is continued evolution in the areas where we've seen that resonate most with public safety.”