Gov. Sam Brownback (R-KS) recently announced that the state of Kansas will become the 14th state in the country to opt-in to the nationwide public safety broadband network that is currently being developed by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and AT&T.
As part of the agreement, FirstNet and AT&T will build, operate, and provide needed maintenance for a secure wireless broadband network for use by firefighters, police, public safety personnel and associated first responders during emergency situations. The network’s development will be at no cost to the state of Kansas for the next 25 years.
“Our first responders need to quickly and securely coordinate efforts during an emergency, and FirstNet will help ensure that they have the tools they need to safeguard our state,” Brownback said. “This effort will also bring welcome broadband service enhancements to many rural parts of our state, including tribal lands and those areas most recently affected by wildfires this spring.”
Once the network is fully implemented, it will allow for Kansas-based first responders to obtain immediate access to voice and data across the existing AT&T long-term evolution (LTE) network.
The secure channel will allow for subscribers to obtain critical information during natural disaster-type emergencies and large-scale events, such as Kansas Jayhawks basketball games.
According to FirstNet, preemption for primary users, such as police and EMS, is expected by the end of the year.
“It’s an honor to continue our nearly 140-year history of supporting Kansas and its public safety community,” Chris Sambar, senior vice president of AT&T—FirstNet, said. “By opting in to FirstNet, Governor Brownback is giving his first responders the tools and technologies they need to operate faster, safer and more effectively when lives are on the line.”