Users like you and me are preoccupied with the best download speeds and the cheapest plan when it comes to choosing between Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T. But if one is a first responder, things are a bit different.
You need to work with what you have and luckily, AT&T is coming up with a major upgrade for FirstNet (the network that's dedicated to first responders).
Going 5G SA
The telco has always been very supportive of FirstNet. | Image by PhoneArena
AT&T has announced that FirstNet is now powered by the first nationwide 5G Standalone (5G SA) core built specifically for public safety in the United States. While that may sound like just another 5G announcement, the upgrade is actually about the network's underlying infrastructure rather than expanding 5G coverage.
What's stopping you from switching to AT&T?
Who'll be taking advantage
FirstNet users (this includes police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency personnel) have already had access to AT&T's 5G network for quite some time. However, until now, that 5G service relied on the carrier's existing network architecture. In other words, first responders could use 5G, but the network was still based on the same underlying core technology that supported AT&T's commercial services.
Now, FirstNet has its own dedicated nationwide 5G Standalone core. A network core is like the brain of a cellular network. It connects devices, authenticates users, routes traffic and determines how network resources are allocated. Instead of sharing that critical infrastructure with millions of regular consumer devices, FirstNet traffic is now handled by a physically separate core built exclusively for public safety.
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A big plus
According to AT&T, separating FirstNet from its commercial network brings several advantages. The company says first responders will benefit from stronger security, improved reliability and greater operational control during emergencies. The dedicated architecture also creates additional redundancy by using multiple geographically distributed core sites, helping the network remain operational even if one location experiences an outage. This is pretty important stuff.
Moving to a true 5G Standalone core also enables technical improvements over older non-standalone 5G deployments. AT&T says the new platform delivers lower latency, faster upload speeds and improved responsiveness. Those upgrades are particularly important for applications that emergency agencies increasingly rely on, including body-worn cameras, live video streaming from accident scenes, connected drones, mission-critical push-to-talk services and other real-time communication tools.
It's also secure
Ma Bell says the FirstNet 5G SA core includes enhanced security measures designed specifically for public safety. Access is limited to authorized users with a FirstNet SIM card, while a dedicated security operations center monitors the network around the clock for potential threats.
Also, AT&T introduced a concept called Adaptive Mission Performance, which will gradually roll out as more FirstNet users migrate to the standalone core.
Rather than treating all network traffic equally, this system will be able to optimize performance based on the application being used. For example, live video from an active emergency could be given different network characteristics than routine data transfers, while mission-critical voice communications could be prioritized differently from telemetry or sensor data.
No additional costs
AT&T says FirstNet subscribers have already begun transitioning to the dedicated nationwide 5G Standalone core at no additional cost. The migration will continue over time, with Adaptive Mission Performance features arriving gradually as more agencies and devices move onto the new platform.
Mint Mobile is now allowing you to get whichever plan you like for either three, six, or 12 months for just $15/mo. If you go for the six-month unlimited service, for instance, you'll now have to pay just $90 upfront instead of $210.
Sebastian is one of PhoneArena’s senior opinionators. A veteran news writer with almost 20 years of experience in media and technology, he not only covers all the hot news about Galaxies and iPhones, but often provides hot takes on industry trends. He’s fascinated with camera-focused flagships from the likes of Oppo and Vivo, as well as foldable phones.
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