Network Enhancements and Portable Cell Sites to Provide Dedicated Service for FirstNet Subscribers at One of the Nation’s Largest Annual Fireworks Display and Airshow

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 9, 2019 – Public Safety across federal, state and local agencies are gearing up for Thunder Over Louisville. And with crowds averaging around half a million annually, the Kentucky Derby Festival is working with AT&T* to employ FirstNet – the nationwide public safety communications platform – as the official first responder communications provider for the big event.

“Thunder Over Louisville is an exciting day for this city and the spectators who travel from across the country to experience this iconic event. I’m thrilled we are here to help keep the first responders supporting the event connected to the critical information they need via the FirstNet communications platform,” said Hood Harris, president, AT&T Kentucky. “With FirstNet, AT&T is extending its continuous network upgrades by making public safety-specific enhancements across the city. These enhancements help ensure Public Safety has the tools they need to communicate – every day and in every emergency.”

The FirstNet team at AT&T has been working closely with a number of public safety agencies to prepare for the event. First responders with FirstNet will be equipped with the coverage, capacity and capabilities – priority and preemption included – that they need to quickly and simply stay connected throughout the festivities, and ultimately help keep fans safe.

• Portable Cell Sites – We’re staging 2 FirstNet Satellite Cell on Light Trucks (SatCOLTs) for extra redundancy outside command posts based on either side of the Ohio River. These network assets can provide additional dedicated coverage to first responders. The FirstNet SatCOLTs are part of the nationwide fleet of 72 dedicated deployable network assets available 24/7 at the request of FirstNet subscribers and at no additional charge.
• Public Safety’s Spectrum – Louisville is also one of the 500 markets1 nationwide where we have deployed the FirstNet Band 14 spectrum across the city, helping to provide optimal coverage and capacity for first responders. Band 14 is high-quality spectrum provided by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) – an independent agency within the federal government.

These are the same types of public safety-specific preparations that were put in place to support large events like Pro-Football’s Big Game, college basketball championship games and the upcoming Boston Marathon.

When hundreds of thousands of people descend on an area for large events, commercial networks experience a tremendous increase in demand. First responders using those commercial networks have to compete with attendees, creating situations where someone posting a selfie could prevent first responders onsite from sharing photos of a lost child.

Safety should never come second. And with FirstNet, it doesn’t. With FirstNet, subscribers supporting Thunder Over Louisville will no longer need to compete with the influx in commercial traffic for access to network resources. By putting additional FirstNet preparations in place, we’re helping to make sure the public safety communications platform is ready for the hundreds of first responders that will be supporting the festivities.

FirstNet is being built with AT&T, in a public-private partnership with the FirstNet Authority. This helps to ensure that the FirstNet communications platform and service offerings meet the short- and long-term needs of the public safety community.

To learn more about the value FirstNet is bringing to Public Safety, check out FirstNet.com.

1Markets defined by FCC CMAs

*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 innovate to improve lives. We have the nation’s fastest wireless network.** And according to America’s biggest test, we have the nation’s best wireless network.*** We’re building FirstNet just for first responders and creating next-generation mobile 5G. With DIRECTV, DIRECTV NOW and WatchTV, we deliver entertainment people love to talk about. Our smart, highly secure solutions serve nearly 3 million global businesses – nearly all of the Fortune 1000. And worldwide, our spirit of service drives employees to give back to their communities.

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**Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data average download speeds for Q1 2019.
***According to America’s biggest test as announced by Global Wireless Solutions last fall.

FirstNet® and the FirstNet service logo are the intellectual property of the First Responder Network Authority.

For more information, contact:
Joe Burgan
AT&T Public Affairs
Phone: 502.298.5418
Email: jb996v@att.com