- Application
- Backhaul
- Broadband
- Enterprise
- Evolved Packet Core
- Government
- IT Governance
- Network Operator
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Who is First Net?
First Net is a federally authorized nationwide broadband network that delivers priority, preemption-capable LTE voice and data services to public safety agencies and first responders, operated under a long-term contract between an independent federal authority and a commercial network operator.
- Dedicated nationwide LTE broadband for public safety users
- Quality-of-service priority and preemption for first responder traffic
- Mobile devices, applications, and deployable network assets for agencies
- Use of 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum reserved for public safety communications
- Interoperability across federal, state, local, and tribal agencies
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More About First Net
First Net was established by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, which created the FirstNet Authority within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Authority holds the license for the 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum allocated to public safety and oversees the deployment of a single interoperable network. It awarded a long-term contract to AT&T to build, operate, and maintain the network, while the Authority retains responsibility for network governance and public safety requirements.
The network uses LTE standards defined by 3GPP, with a radio access network, an evolved packet core, and dedicated public safety quality-of-service controls. Priority and preemption features allow public safety traffic to take precedence over commercial traffic on shared infrastructure during periods of congestion. Deployable cell assets and satellite backhaul options extend coverage to incident scenes and areas with limited fixed infrastructure.
In enterprise and government environments, agencies such as police, fire, emergency medical services, and emergency management organizations use the network for mobile data access, video transmission, and mission-critical applications. The service is commonly positioned as a complement to existing land mobile radio systems, which remain primarily voice-centric and narrowband. Compared with standard commercial mobile network services, the network emphasizes reliability, prioritized access, and public safety governance rather than consumer capacity.
The significance of this offering lies in its role as a standardized, nationwide mobile broadband platform for public safety, reducing the need for individual agencies to build separate wireless networks. Within current solution areas, it aligns with mission-critical mobile broadband, private mobile network services for government users, managed device and application services, and deployable network capabilities for emergency response.
Our description of First Net. Updated October 2026.