Alexandria, VA – Today, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International celebrates the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet’s) selection of AT&T as its partner to implement the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN). Congress created FirstNet through groundbreaking legislation that responded to years of hard work and relentless advocacy by the nation’s major public safety associations, including APCO International. With the selection of AT&T to build the NPSBN, public safety’s vision will soon be realized.

In selecting a partner that is an established wireless service provider with a nationwide network, FirstNet is well-positioned to achieve the goals of the law that created it. FirstNet users will benefit from the significant investment and infrastructure AT&T already has in place, which is more efficient than depending upon a green-field build or untested solutions. Further, FirstNet’s partnership with AT&T will yield in short order the economies of scale, innovation, security and – of utmost importance – the nationwide level of interoperability, that public safety professionals deserve and need.

“This is a significant milestone for the public safety community,” said APCO Executive Director and CEO Derek Poarch. “APCO congratulates FirstNet for selecting a credible, trusted partner in AT&T. As the network becomes available, and features, devices, reliability and coverage are enhanced to meet public safety’s requirements, we believe our nation’s public safety professionals will enter a new era of emergency response.”