Charles County’s First Responders Get Major Comms Boost

Charles County’s first responders are getting a significant boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet® network expansion currently underway by AT&T.

AT&T recently added new, purpose-built cell sites ln Charles County – one in Nanjameoy and a second in Newburg on Crain Highway behind the Maryland Veterans Museum. These new sites give first responders on FirstNet access to always-on, 24-hours-a-day priority and preemption across voice and data.

FirstNet — a nationwide wireless broadband network for first responders being built and deployed through a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership between the federal government and AT&T — aims to deploy, operate, maintain, and improve the first high-speed, nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety.

The FirstNet network provides public safety with dedicated coverage and capacity when needed, including unique benefits like always-on priority and preemption, and Band 14 spectrum — a nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the government specifically for FirstNet. These advanced capabilities enable FirstNet to help fire, EMS, EMA, law enforcement, and 9-1-1 personnel save lives and protect their communities.

According to a press release:

To ensure AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority (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 Maryland’s first responders connect to the critical information they need – every day and in every emergency. The Charles County locations were selected after consultation with state and local public safety officials prior to Maryland’s opt in to FirstNet in 2017.

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

Maryland counties are leading the way in building a statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 system to equip public safety agencies and first responders with 21st-century tools and technology to protect residents and save lives. This year’s MACo Summer Conference will feature a live demonstration of NG911 remote call-taking technology, critical for ensuring resiliency and redundancy for Maryland’s 24 county 9-1-1 centers.

AT&T is a MACo Platinum Corporate Partner.

The 2022 MACo Summer Conference will take place at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD, from August 17-22. This year’s theme is “Taking Care of Business.”

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: