The First Responders Network Authority board has approved $218 million in network investment to support 5G and additional deployables for first responders using the FirstNet-AT&T network.
The FirstNet Authority said that the funds will support “initial network upgrades to set FirstNet on the path to 5G” and expand FirstNet’s fleet of deployable assets, which include cell sites on wheels (COWs) cell sites on light trucks (COLTs) and several unmanned aerial vehicles, including a blimp.
The First Responders Network Authority will be receiving about $18 billion in payments from AT&T over the 25-year-term of its contract to build out and operate the nationwide FirstNet network for public safety.
