FirstNet Enhances Public Safety Situational Awareness, Interoperability and Security Capabilities

Rhea-AI Summary

AT&T's FirstNet is enhancing public safety capabilities with the introduction of four new solutions aimed at improving interoperability and situational awareness for first responders. Collaborating with industry leaders like Motorola Solutions, KSI Data Sciences, and NetMotion, FirstNet's new offerings include a Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk platform, the MissionKeeper streaming software, a VPN solution to secure mobile traffic, and a messaging app. These innovations aim to provide secure, seamless communication and improve emergency response, marking a significant step in modernizing the public safety communications landscape.

Positive

• Launch of four new solutions enhancing public safety's communication capabilities.
• Collaboration with Motorola Solutions aims to improve interoperability among agencies.
• MissionKeeper software streamlines access to live data from various IoT devices.
• NetMotion VPN enhances security and connectivity for mobile users.

Negative

• None.

DALLAS, July 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

What's the news? FirstNet®, Built with AT&T* – the only nationwide network built with and for America's first responders – is spurring further innovation for public safety's ecosystem of mission-centric applications and solutions. By collaborating with the industry leaders, we're introducing 4 new solutions:

1. Motorola Solutions' MCPTT, Interoperability and Critical Connect – Public safety spoke, and we listened. We're collaborating with Motorola Solutions to deliver a new Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT) solution this winter, enabling public safety agencies to use Motorola Solutions' cloud-based Critical Connect for essential interoperability.  The FirstNet interoperable platform will provide options for connectivity between land mobile radio (LMR) systems, the new MCPTT solution, as well as  AT&T Enhanced Push-to-Talk (EPTT), for seamless communication and collaboration.
2. MissionKeeper® from KSI Data Sciences is an easy-to-use streaming software that gives multiple users access to live streamed video and data from drones, submersibles, robots, dash cams and other IoT devices. And with instant scalability, teams can better collaborate and make field-based decisions quickly, from any location.
3. NetMotion® by Absolute provides a mobile-first VPN solution that helps accelerate, optimize and secure mobile device traffic directly to the dedicated FirstNet network core, improving the user experience by providing resilient connectivity both inside and outside coverage areas. NetMotion is a leading mobile VPN solution that is highly adopted by public safety. FirstNet has expanded its relationship with NetMotion offering multiple ways for public safety to get access to a known solution that provides users a seamless mobile experience with the security and controls that agencies require.
4. FirstNet Messaging is a highly secure, group notification and messaging service that integrates seamlessly with a wide range of notification applications.

Why is this important? FirstNet is expanding public safety's network to reach more communities across the country and continuing our roll-out of mission-driven innovative solutions. These new solutions will give public safety new capabilities:

• Motorola Solutions Collaboration: Nothing is more crucial during emergency response than reliable voice and data communications between first responders, agencies and jurisdictions. Through this relationship, we're leveraging Motorola Solutions' strength and expertise as a global leader in mission-critical communication and LMR interoperability. The forthcoming standards-based broadband MCPTT voice, video and data solution will deliver greater situational awareness and more informed emergency response, as well as seamless connectivity to LMR networks through Critical Connect. Mission Critical broadband communications are based on public safety standards set by the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) – the body responsible for global LTE and 5G standards – to provide modern, interoperable broadband communications.
• MissionKeeper® for Public Safety: A new app launched and now in the FirstNet App Catalog, MissionKeeper by KSI Data Sciences provides near-real time video streaming/archive from drones, phones and IoT devices through a single and shareable view that can be accessed within or across agencies. MissionKeeper is a secure web-based, collaborative environment that allows public safety to view and share live and archived video and telemetry (altitude, attitude, heading, etc.) from multiple sources over virtually any available network. Invite guest users from other agencies on the fly. MissionKeeper is a scalable, secure, affordable solution for any agency needing to share near real time video with multiple stakeholders for complete situational awareness.
• NetMotion by Absolute: NetMotion, recently acquired by Absolute Software™, a leader in next generation Endpoint Resilience™ solutions, provides a mobile-first, software-based VPN solution that helps accelerate, optimize, and secure mobile device traffic to improve the user experience. NetMotion is a client/server software-only VPN that maintains continuous, reliable connections even when devices are in areas with no coverage, dead spots, or marginal signal strength—and when users roam. Workers can use a combination of networks, roam freely between them, cross gaps in coverage, and suspend and resume sessions without losing connectivity, repeating logins or managing their connections. NetMotion requires just one login to grant a user access for the entire workday and automatically handles subsequent logins. With NetMotion, FirstNet administrators control access to applications and devices – for a single user, a group, or an entire organization. The IT team can set custom access conditions like the time of day, network type, or application bandwidth requirements. Additionally, traffic optimization support includes traffic shaping/Quality of Service (QoS), data compression, seamless roaming, voice/video optimization, and image acceleration. These capabilities help FirstNet users improve throughput speeds, maintain continuous application sessions, and allocate network resources to compensate for weak coverage or intermittent connectivity. As a result, crucial applications get priority, and users can send and receive data more quickly.
• FirstNet Messaging: This app enhances safety, makes critical communications easier, and is available to first responders on FirstNet – both primary agencies and primary subscriber-paid users – at no additional charge with their FirstNet plans. In fact, we are automatically provisioning FirstNet Messaging to all qualified customers. And because it's interoperable among agencies and first responders, it enables true collaboration during an emergency.

We continue to listen to public safety and focus on delivering the services they need, on their network. Nowhere else can public safety get the only nationwide, dedicated communications platform with the mission-ready and mission-critical standards-based solutions they need to protect themselves and our communities.

What is the FirstNet App Catalog? FirstNet is more than fast, reliable and highly secure connectivity. With FirstNet, public safety has a library of pre-evaluated and approved applications dedicated to addressing the emergent needs of our nation's first responders. As public safety's partner, AT&T thoroughly evaluates every app before its inclusion in the FirstNet App Catalog. First responders can safely advance their mission with mobile tools that meet our highest standards of reliability, security and performance. With more than 170 FirstNet Verified™ and FirstNet Certified™ apps to download, smart devices can provide public safety with an economical way to put advanced information sharing where it is needed. The App Catalog includes practical tools that enable multi-media communications and modernize operations in the field.  App Catalog solutions include innovations that advance situational awareness and provide for quick and actionable community engagement.  By working with FirstNet, mobile app providers can integrate purpose-built and exclusive features.  FirstNet apps can include vertical positioning for z-axis mapping, authentication for single sign-on, and device and app uplift for heightened network prioritization.  FirstNet app providers can also enhance their solutions with integration of Mission Critical Push-to-Talk and FirstNet Messaging designed specifically for public safety.  With FirstNet and the App Catalog, first responders can be confident they have the tools they need no matter where their mission takes them.

What is FirstNet? FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built for America's first responders and the extended public safety community. Shaped by the vision of Congress and the first responder community following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, FirstNet stands above commercial offerings. It is built with AT&T in public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), an independent agency within the federal government. With more than 16,000 public safety agencies and organizations subscribed – accounting for more than 2.2 million connections nationwide² – the FirstNet network is providing first responders with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it, unique benefits like always-on priority and preemption, and high-quality Band 14 spectrum. These advanced capabilities help emergency managers, fire, EMS and law enforcement save lives and protect their communities.

Where can I find more information? For more about the value FirstNet is bringing to public safety, check out FirstNet.com. And go here for more FirstNet news. 

What people are saying:
Jason Porter
President, Public Sector and FirstNet, AT&T
"We are here to serve America's first responders with new tools and technologies on their network, helping to ensure they have access to the information they need, when they need it. We continue to innovate new solutions and improve existing ones to give public safety a seamless, interoperable experience and equip first responders with better situational awareness."

Ed Parkinson
CEO of the FirstNet Authority
"Since FirstNet launched, the network has continued to drive the expansion of the public safety broadband marketplace. We are pleased to join AT&T in welcoming these newest innovations to the FirstNet ecosystem as the network continues to evolve to meet public safety's critical communications needs."

¹FirstNet Messaging is also available to extended primary agencies and subscriber paid users for an additional fee. 
²As of April 2021 

FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

*About AT&T Communications
We help family, friends and neighbors connect in meaningful ways every day. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video streaming, we @ATT innovate to improve lives.

AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). For more information, please visit us at att.com.

 

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SOURCE AT&T Communications

FAQ

What new solutions did AT&T introduce for FirstNet on July 21, 2021?

AT&T introduced four new solutions: a Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk platform, MissionKeeper streaming software, a mobile VPN solution from NetMotion, and a secure messaging service.

How does Motorola Solutions' involvement benefit FirstNet?

Motorola Solutions' collaboration aims to enhance interoperability and communication for public safety agencies using the new MCPTT solution.

What is the purpose of the MissionKeeper software?

MissionKeeper provides live streaming video and data access from IoT devices, enabling better collaboration and decision-making for public safety teams.

What benefits does the NetMotion VPN offer to FirstNet users?

NetMotion offers enhanced security and connectivity for mobile device traffic, ensuring reliable communication even in low coverage areas.

What is FirstNet?

FirstNet is a dedicated high-speed broadband communications platform designed specifically for America's first responders, providing unique benefits like priority and preemption.