美国电信巨头AT&T在2017年年底宣布，美国 50 个州最终全部决定加入FirstNet，以便为公共安全维护保障人员(包括警察、交警、消防人员、医疗救护人员等)建立全美宽带专网。美属萨摩亚，关岛和北马里亚纳群岛也有资格被列入，但需等到2018 年 3 月 12 日才能做出最终决定。

　　近日，AT&T已经取得打造FirstNet网络的相关大单，2018年将加速推进FirstNet的建设工作。

　　据环球专网通信了解，在911事件之后，美国深感通信保障存在巨大问题，认为建设全国一体化的应急通信无线专网对消除各部门之间的障碍、增强互操作性能够起到关键作用，而且宽带作用越来越大，单纯的窄带已经无法适应工作需要。在经过多次反复论证后，2012年2月22日，由奥巴马总统签署的《2012中产阶级减税和创造就业法案》明确提出将提供资金建设一个全国性的公共安全宽带网络的计划，从此拉开了FirstNet的建设序幕。

　　FirstNet是美国国会授权建立的一个全国性的无线宽带专网，旨在为公共安全维护保障人员以及其他现场应急响应人员提供高效可靠的通信保障，更好地实施救援，减少财产损失，挽救生命，更好地保障社会公共安全。美国希望这张网络能够为全国范围内的第一响应者提供一年365天、7×24小时的服务。

　　FirstNet由AT&T负责建设运营。根据合同，AT&T将在整个协议期间花费共约400亿美元来建造、部署、运营及维护网络，并为公共安全服务用户提供良好稳定的服务覆盖。而FirstNet将提供20M的无线电频谱，在接下来的5年内，FirstNet还将根据AT&T的工作绩效支付65亿美元，协助打造这一网络。据了解，AT&T将把FirstNet用户与该公司估值超过1800亿美元的电信网络资产连接起来，发展壮大其业务。

　　50个州全部加入FirstNet，为美国全国范围内的宽带专网建设提供了加速度，使得美国在应急通信基础设施领域走在了世界前列。当前我国的专网建设正在蓬勃发展，顶层设计、技术标准、产业链都在日益完备。美国FirstNet的加速推进对于我国当前的专网建设当有所借鉴意义。

　　附：

　　All 50 U.S. States, 2 Territories and the District of Columbia Opt-In to FirstNet

　　(Dec 29,2017)This is a big day for public safety. With yesterday’s close of theFirstNet opt-in/opt-out period, the unanimous decisions of states andterritories across America are in. Fifty states, 2territories and the District of Columbia opted in to the First ResponderNetwork Authority and AT&T’s* plan to design and build a dedicated wirelessbroadband network for their respective public safety communities. Thisgives first responders nationwide a groundbreaking new choice for theircommunications.

　　FirstNet is America’s first-evernationwide public safety broadband network. The recommendation for a separate,dedicated network for first responders was made by the 9/11 Commission based onthe communication challenges public safety experienced during the September 11,2001, terrorist attacks. Since then, it’s been clear that the needs of publicsafety demand more than the networks of the past.

　　“Our FirstNet offering will foreverchange the way first responders communicate,” said Chris Sambar, senior vicepresident, AT&T – FirstNet. “Securing 53 opt-ins is significant for thepublic safety personnel that this network will serve. And we’re honored to givefirst responders across the country quick access to this life-saving solution.”

　　FirstNet – purpose built with andfor public safety – brings first responders their own world-class network tohelp them connect to the critical information they need every day and in everyemergency.

　　“With everystate saying ‘yes’ to the FirstNet plan, America’s first responders now have anationwide interoperable network they can rely on 24/7/365 – like theirmission,”said First Responder Network Authority Chief Executive OfficerMike Poth. “I applaud these governors for their decision and congratulate publicsafety for its advocacy and partnership throughout the process. With more than 50 states and territories participating inFirstNet, public safety is assured of an enduring, self-sufficient network toserve them for years to come.”

　　Many states spent an exhaustiveamount of time researching their options. New Hampshire – for example – spentmore than 2 years exploring vendors who could deliver its statewide publicsafety broadband network. Ultimately, New Hampshire and the other states thatissued requests for proposal opted in, indicating that we offered public safetythe best solution with the least risk.

　　Decisions from the 3Pacific territories of American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas Islands arenot due until March 12, 2018.

　　What’s Ahead in 2018

　　Now that opt-in decisions are in,the First Responder Network Authority is expected to give AT&T the officialgreen light in early 2018 for its aggressive network build, including new sitebuilds. This will help cover unserved or underserved areas. And it will helpdrive investment and job creation.

　　AT&T will spend about$40 billionover the life of the contract to deliverFirstNet. And the First Responder Network Authority is providing success-based payments of $6.5 billion over the next 5 years as well as 20MHz of high-value spectrum to support FirstNet’s build.

　　FirstNet will also bring firstresponders a host of new capabilities in 2018. These will help make theircommunications simpler, safer, faster, more collaborative and more secure.

　　“FirstNet is the network for publicsafety. 2017 was about planning, preparing and moving quickly to bring publicsafety a meaningful option – one they can rely on without delay. We’ll build on that groundwork in 2018 with transformativecapabilities that will make FirstNet the most valuable communications systemfor first responders,” Sambar said. “And since this is likely thebiggest innovation that most first responders will see in their careers, wecan’t wait to bring it to as many emergency responders as possible.”

　　Planned advancements thatAT&T’s FirstNet subscribers can expect in the new year are:

　　Increased coverage and capacityfrom AT&T’s FirstNet build. Plus, access to mobile dedicated network assetsthat can be deployed for additional coverage and support when needed.

　　Launch of the AT&T-builtFirstNet nationwide, dedicated evolved packet core network with end-to-endencryption. All FirstNet traffic will be routed through thismulti-million-dollar core to give first responders the separate, highly secure,non-commercial network they deserve.

　　Access to a dedicated SecurityOperations Center, offering 24/7/365 support.

　　Roll out of a range ofnext-generation public safety tools. This includes mission-criticalpush-to-talk and device offerings, like BYOD, to bring value to urban and ruralfirst responders.

　　Continued innovation with theFirstNet app ecosystem. This will be supported by FirstNet-focused hackathonsin the new year to help fuel development.

　　“As first responders, we face anincredible amount of risk every day. So, to have a network that is focused ondriving innovative capabilities to improve our safety is game changing,” said Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo. “2017 was a pivotal year for public safety. And with the advancements planned for 2018, it’s only going to get better.”