FirstNet Authority to Expand and Strengthen Coverage for First Responders

Plans to enhance wireless broadband coverage for first responders, particularly public safety organizations operating in remote, rural, and difficult-to-reach locations, have been announced by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority).

The FirstNet Authority is directing AT&T, the network contractor, to install over 135 new, specially designed cell sites throughout the nation through strategic investments. In order to further enhance Band 14, the dedicated lane of connection for public safety, these sites will supplement the first FirstNet nationwide buildout, which was finished in 2023, and the 1,000 sites that were introduced in 2024 and 2025.

“The Trump Administration is working to improve FirstNet to ensure it meets its obligations, delivers measurable results, and truly serves public safety — and that starts with listening to the needs of first responders,” said Arielle Roth, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. 

The FirstNet Authority's initiatives to improve coverage have been heavily influenced by public safety input. Public safety officials are assisting the FirstNet Authority in identifying coverage gaps and prioritizing regions that are most important for their daily and emergency operations through coverage enhancement seminars and local interactions.

The FirstNet Authority will keep funding solutions that enhance FirstNet's indoor coverage in addition to constructing new sites specifically for that purpose. The FirstNet Authority has made investments to deploy over 14,000 micro cell sites in response to public safety feedback. At no expense to the public safety agencies, these cell sites improve coverage within vital facilities.

In order to provide future satellite-to-device capabilities unique to public safety, like priority and preemption on Band 14, as well as mission-critical push-to-talk, the FirstNet Authority is also modernizing the dedicated FirstNet network core. When these solutions are made available, they will supplement the terrestrial network and allow first responders to contact FirstNet in isolated and difficult-to-reach locations, assisting them in maintaining connectivity both during and after catastrophes.

“Public safety has told us where more coverage would make the biggest difference for their network,” said Michael A. Cannon, Executive Director and CEO of the FirstNet Authority. “We’re turning that feedback into action with new cell sites, satellite capabilities, and stronger indoor coverage on FirstNet. This reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering coverage and capacity where first responders need it most.”

The FirstNet Authority's strategic investment program, which promotes innovation, increases coverage, and fortifies FirstNet's resilience, provides funding for these network improvements. Over a ten-year period, the FirstNet Authority intends to invest a total of $2 billion to continuously improve coverage on the national public safety broadband network.