[Scan-DC] FirstNet Adds Columbia as Subscriber, Builds 2 New Sites in Virginia

[Alan Henney]

https://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsDetails/newsID/18634

FirstNet Adds Columbia as Subscriber, Builds 2 New Sites in Virginia

Tuesday, August 27, 2019 | Comments

The city of Columbia, South Carolina, joined the First Responder Network
Authority (FirstNet) and is the largest FirstNet deployment in South
Carolina.

“We are excited to work with AT&T to provide this critical resource to our
first responders in an effort to aid our public-safety measures,” said
Mayor Steve Benjamin. “It is critical that our first responders can
communicate every day and especially during an emergency. FirstNet will
make this communication more effective than ever before. We’re looking
forward to working with our partners to maximize the benefits of this
innovative technology which will help make our communities safer.”

In addition, FirstNet contractor AT&T added two new sites in Virginia, one
each in Fairfax and Prince William counties. The purpose-built cell sites
are at the Fairfax County Courthouse and in Manassas, located near Lomond
Drive and Fairmont Ave.

AT&T said the Virginia FirstNet build is being done with direct feedback
from state and public-safety officials in Virginia. The sites are a part of
the commonwealth’s FirstNet plan. The sites were constructed using the
FirstNet band 14 spectrum, as well as other spectrum bands in the AT&T
commercial spectrum portfolio. Band 14 has also been added on existing
sites across Virginia.

The new sites will also help improve the overall coverage experience for
AT&T wireless customers in the area, the carrier said. Residents, visitors
and businesses can take advantage of the AT&T spectrum bands, as well as
band 14 when additional capacity is available.

“FirstNet is a dedicated broadband network for public safety, by public
safety,” said FirstNet Authority Chief Technology and Operations Officer
Jeff Bratcher. “We worked hand-in-hand with Virginia’s public-safety
community to understand their needs for the network. And these new cell
sites are a prime example of how that input and feedback are now reality.
We look forward to supporting Fairfax and Prince William County’s first
responders’ use of FirstNet to help them save lives and protect
communities.”