Jane Edwards
The state of Wyoming has approved a plan from AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority to provide a wireless broadband network for the state’s first responders and other public safety personnel.
Gov. Matthew Mead announced his decision to opt into the state plan Tuesday, FirstNet said Tuesday.
“The state of Wyoming has participated in FirstNet consultation and outreach activities throughout the planning of the network and reviewed the details of the FirstNet state plan,” Mead noted.
FirstNet and AT&T established a public-private partnership in March to build and operate a wireless network for first responders over the next 25 years.
Under the state plan, Wyoming’s first responders will gain access to voice and data communications support through AT&T’s existing LTE network.
FirstNet and AT&T are expected to provide pre-emption services to Wyoming’s law enforcement and emergency personnel by the end of 2017.
“The FirstNet network will connect first responders operating across Wyoming’s diverse landscape – including its rural, mountainous and remote areas, as well as federal and tribal lands,†said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth.
Wyoming’s decision came a day after Virginia accepted the state plan for the wireless broadband network.
