AT&T officials shed light on FirstNet prioritization details [telecom]

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AT&T officials shed light on 'extended primary' category of FirstNet users, prioritization details

By Donny Jackson

ORLANDO - Personnel within the utility, transportation and healthcare sectors are among those qualified to subscribe to FirstNet and have priority access across the AT&T system, but many questions remain about the "extended primary" category of users and some details regarding the prioritization-selection process, according to AT&T officials.

AT&T is contracted to build, maintain and upgrade the FirstNet nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN), and the telecom giant has agreed to provide preemptive access to "primary" FirstNet subscribers - fire, EMS, law-enforcement, 911 and emergency- operations-centers users.