FirstNet®, Built with AT&T is keeping public safety ready for celebrations of every size, from hometown parades and community gatherings to the country’s largest fireworks displays, concerts, maritime celebrations, and landmark events. Across America’s 250th birthday festivities, FirstNet is supporting 75+ agencies with reliable connectivity when crowds are large and communications matter most.
Public safety has already made 75+ requests for additional FirstNet support, and the FirstNet Response Operations Group™ (ROG), led by former first responders, is working closely with local, state, and federal agencies before and during events to strategically place portable cell sites on hot standby at Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and other high-traffic areas for extra redundancy. For major events such as America’s 250th Anniversary Maritime Celebration, Sail250® – a massive gathering of tall ships and military vessels spanning from Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia – as well as other large, planned celebrations and events honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary, that includes:
Deploying 20+ SatCOLTs (Satellite Cell on Light Trucks) and CRDs (Compact Rapid Deployables) from the dedicated FirstNet fleet to provide reliable, dedicated connectivity for public safety teams.
Leveraging AT&T’s commercial fleet of 750+ deployable assets by bringing in multiple LCTs (LEO Cell Trailers) to deliver high-speed, temporary cell service, and mitigate congestion.
Increasing wireless capacity for thousands of first responders by positioning an AT&T commercial fleet Super COW on the National Mall in Washington D.C. ahead of high-traffic America’s 250th birthday events.
Band 14 spectrum coverage providing dedicated connectivity for public safety when needed.
“As millions gather to celebrate Independence Day and our nation’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating a complex maritime operating environment in New York Harbor. FirstNet has been vital, providing the connectivity and reliability our teams depend on to coordinate across agencies and maintain situational awareness. During an event of this magnitude, the ability to stay connected across jurisdictions and missions is critical, and we trust FirstNet to help us meet that challenge and stay focused on protecting lives during one of the nation’s most historic celebrations.” – Thomas D’Angelo, Lead Port Security Specialist – Emergency Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard
FirstNet is the only network with a mandate to never throttle, giving public safety confidence that their speeds will not be slowed, even in massive crowds. It is also the only network with a dedicated fleet of 190+ portable assets reserved solely for public safety. Combined with Band 14 spectrum, always-on priority and preemption across AT&T 5G and 4G commercial spectrum and Band 14, FirstNet provides a level of service built to support critical communications during this historic celebration.
Similar efforts are supporting international soccer matches and fan events already underway across the country, while preparations continue for disasters, professional auto racing in the nation’s capital, and other major planned events in the months ahead.
Source: https://about.att.com/blogs/2026/firstnet-america-250.html
