FirstNet to Support First Responders, Residents in Missouri

Congressman Jason Smith Join AT&T and FirstNet to Unveil New Cell Sites in Southeastern Missouri to Support First Responders and Residents. New Infrastructure Helps Advance Public Safety Communications, Improves Connectivity for Area Residents and Visitors

Southeastern Missouri’s first responders and residents are getting another major boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet® network expansion currently underway by AT&T.

AT&T has added new, purpose-built cell sites in the area to increase coverage in and around the following 7 counties: Crawford, Iron, Douglas, Shannon, Texas, Washington and Wright. These sites were constructed using Band 14, public safety’s spectrum, as well as AT&T commercial spectrum.

AT&T also launched additional new sites in the following 14 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Franklin, Iron, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, St. Francois, St. Genevieve, Stoddard, Washington and Wayne.

Band 14 is nationwide, high quality spectrum set aside by the government specifically for FirstNet. We look at Band 14 as public safety’s VIP lane. In an emergency, this band – or lane – can be cleared just for FirstNet subscribers. These sites are giving first responders on FirstNet – America’s public safety network – access to always-on, 24-hours-a-day priority and preemption across voice and data.

This broadband infrastructure was announced during a special event at the Caledonia Firehouse that featured Congressman Jason Smith and State Senator Elaine Gannon, as well as officials from AT&T.

John M. Robinson III, Mayor of Caledonia, kicked off the event, which also featured Craig Unruh, President, AT&T Missouri. Other elected officials, as well as officials from the Washington County and Farmington Chambers of Commerce, Washington County Commissioners, first responders, and business leaders were also present to hear about the investment in the region.

These are the most recent purpose-built FirstNet sites launched in Missouri. In February of 2021, AT&T and FirstNet announced new purpose-built cell sites in 18 counties across the state.

How does this help Missouri residents, businesses and visitors? The FirstNet network expansion is one way AT&T is helping to bridge the rural-urban digital divide to help ensure all of public safety – and the communities they serve – have access to critical connectivity to help meet the urgent challenges of today and tomorrow.

This new infrastructure will also help improve the overall coverage and network capacity experience for AT&T wireless customers in southeastern Missouri. Residents, visitors and businesses can take advantage of the AT&T commercial spectrum bands, as well as Band 14 when additional capacity is available.

What are the benefits to first responders? Building upon AT&T’s current and planned investments in Missouri, we’re actively extending the reach of FirstNet to give agencies large and small and volunteer individual first responders the reliable connectivity and modern communications tools they need.

FirstNet the most important wireless network in the country because it serves first responders. And unlike commercial networks, FirstNet provides dedicated nationwide mobile broadband built with and for first responders.

To help ensure AT&T and the FirstNet Authority are putting coverage and capacity where first responders need it most, the FirstNet build is guided by direct feedback from state and public safety officials. This helps ensure Missouri’s first responders connect to the critical information they need – every day and in every emergency.