First responders using the FirstNet network, which is provided by AT&T, will get access to AT&T’s 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) network starting this month.
AT&T calls this service “5G+,” meaning users get higher speeds than the 5G offered on low-band spectrum. First responders in parts of 38 cities and more than 20 venues will get access to the AT&T mmWave (5G+) spectrum this April; they also will continue to get the always-on priority and preemption across LTE – Band 14 spectrum plus all of AT&T’s commercial LTE spectrum bands.
First responders in Houston, however, already are getting access to the mmWave spectrum. That’s not for any particular reason other than it’s a routine part of any FirstNet deployment that the service is thoroughly tested and vetted before launch. It just so happens a lot of beta users were in Houston, according to Scott Agnew, assistant vice president, product marketing, FirstNet Program at AT&T.