FirstNet is an independent federal authority with a statutory duty and responsibility to take all actions necessary to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (“Network” or “NPSBN”) based on a single, national network architecture.  FirstNet was established by the Middle-Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (“Act”) in response to public safety advocacy. FirstNet’s statutory responsibility is to establish the NPSBN, which includes not only the Core Network but also the Radio Access Network (RAN) in each state or territory, whether deployed by FirstNet or potential opt-out states.

FirstNet is a dedicated cellular network built by AT&T for the exclusive use of first responders.  The benefits to first responders are centered around control of network saturation by non-essential traffic during an “event”.