Alexandria, VA — Today, FirstNet announced that all 50 states, Washington, DC, and two U.S. territories have accepted FirstNet’s proposed radio access network buildout plans, opting in for the first nationwide public safety broadband network. While three remaining U.S. territories have until March 2018 to make their decisions, this announcement marks groundbreaking progress in the establishment of an interoperable broadband communications system for public safety throughout the country.

APCO Executive Director and CEO Derek Poarch said, “APCO congratulates FirstNet and its partner AT&T on this significant milestone towards an advanced, nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network. APCO has always believed that the main vision and goal behind the FirstNet legislation – interoperability – would be best ensured if all states chose to opt in to FirstNet. Having reached this outcome, FirstNet and AT&T must now put the confidence and trust placed upon them by the states and territories into action by creating a fully interoperable, reliable, secure, open network and device ecosystem for first responders and 9-1-1 professionals throughout the country.”

APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole.