The satellite tv for pc service, at the moment in trial, will allow FirstNet to supply protection for “any potential emergencies”, says Scott Agnew
In sum — what to know:
FirstNet checks satellite tv for pc connectivity: Working alongside AST SpaceMobile, AT&T’s FirstNet is testing a direct-to-cellular satellite tv for pc service for its emergency community
A multi-layered method: The satellite tv for pc service which is able to launch for choose industrial and public security customers within the first half of this 12 months, will assist plug protection gaps in sure distant areas that land-based networks don’t serve.
Protection past terrestrial builds: FirstNet president, Scott Agnew informed RCR that the multi-layered community will transcend FirstNet’s terrestrial builds to supply “protection for any potential emergencies.”
Satellite tv for pc connectivity has change into a compelling complement to land-based community companies, particularly in closing the digital divide between city communities and distant areas. In 2026, it’s poised to take a step additional.
In an effort to serve public security staff higher, FirstNet, AT&T’s community for first responders, is working with AST SpaceMobile to convey satellite tv for pc connectivity to its community which may plug gaps in public security communication.
The direct-to-cellular service which obtained FCC approval early in 2025, will function utilizing AST’s super-large BlueBird satellite tv for pc constellation. Bluebird 6, the newest within the Bluebird sequence, was launched from India’s Satish Dhawan Area Centre in December. The supplier described the constellation because the “largest industrial communications array in low Earth orbit [LEO].”
AST is on observe to launch 4 further Bluebird satellites by March 2026, with plans to deploy 45 to 60 satellites by the top of this 12 months. The rollout is predicted to happen each one to 2 months.
The direct-to-cellular service will join the satellites with AT&T’s terrestrial community through its floor stations or gateways. These gateways will alter and route the sign over to an AT&T community establishing the connection.
For FirstNet, satellite tv for pc shouldn’t be supposed to exchange its ground-based community. As an alternative, it can add an additional layer of protection in “white area areas” the place FirstNet’s land-based service at the moment can not attain. The aim is “creating resilient and numerous connectivity that may adapt to no matter expertise first responders want within the area.”
“Emergencies would not have a zipper code,” Scott Agnew, president of FirstNet, AT&T mentioned. “And when a pure catastrophe like wildfire hits a rural space, we need to be sure our first responders have the identical expertise as they might if it was in an city one.”
Connectivity has remained a thorny problem for public security companies in distant areas. Lack of dependable, constant protection complicates response efforts, leaving companies struggling to finish their mission in occasions of catastrophe. The addition of a satellite tv for pc service will lengthen FirstNet’s protection attain past its macro community that at the moment covers many important public security areas.
“We’re designing FirstNet with and for public security by making a multi-layered community that would offer protection for any potential emergency, ” Agnew mentioned, including that it’s going to “in the future give first responders the identical distinctive advantages and capabilities that set the terrestrial FirstNet community aside from personal security networks,”Agnew mentioned.
The service, now in beta testing, is predicted to change into obtainable for early entry to pick customers within the first half of 2026.
“We plan to supply a choose variety of AT&T prospects and public security [agencies] on FirstNet beta satellite tv for pc service within the first half of subsequent 12 months, with industrial launch to observe,” AT&T introduced on its web site.
