Press release:
The U.S. government just awarded us a 25-year contract to build America's first-ever nationwide broadband network dedicated to public safety. This is the largest government contract to ever be awarded to a telecommunications provider. It's an historic moment for our company, our industry and the U.S.
Working with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), we will build and manage a network that will strengthen and modernize public safety's communications capabilities, enabling them to operate faster, more safely and more effectively when lives are on the line.
Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO, said, "We are honored to work with FirstNet to build a network for America's police, firefighters and EMS personnel that is second to none. This is an unprecedented public-private investment in infrastructure that makes America a leader and public safety a national priority."
We will work with FirstNet to deliver a dedicated, interoperable network and ecosystem that will cover all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, including rural communities and tribal lands in those states and territories.
The network will help improve communications among members of the public safety community. And that's something that everyone – first responders, employees, customers, shareholders, and even those who don't do business with us – can benefit from during an emergency.
Our work on FirstNet is expected to create 10,000 U.S. jobs across our company and contractors over the next two years. The network buildout will begin later this year.
This win is the result of the outstanding work you do every day to help create the best communications experiences in the world. Our global public sector and public safety teams along with numerous organizations and individuals across the company worked tirelessly to secure this privilege.
Every employee can take pride that we've been trusted to serve our country in this historic undertaking. No connection is more important than one that can save a life. First responders and the public are counting on us, and we will deliver.
