Gov. Susana Martinez
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Today, Gov. Susana Martinez joined AT&T New Mexico President Jerry Fuentes and FirstNet CEO Mike Poth to unveil a dramatic high-tech enhancement to the first responder communication network throughout the state – a first-of-its-kind undertaking in the nation.
AT&T in partnership with FirstNet will build, operate and maintain a highly secure wireless broadband communications network for New Mexico’s emergency response network at no cost for the next 25 years.
“We have to keep doing more to keep our communities safe,” Martinez said. “I worked closely with law enforcement as a prosecutor for 25 years. I’ve seen firsthand the need for a streamlined and modernized communication network for our men and women in uniform. This system will help them save more lives.”
Currently, most law enforcement agencies operate on separate data communication networks, which can lead to confusion when officers or other first responders travel throughout different parts of the state. This initiative will help unify the emergency communication network across New Mexico to ensure that more first responders at the local, state and federal level have the resources they need in any emergency situation.
“AT&T is honored to work with the state to provide a communications network that will allow New Mexico’s first responders to operate faster, safer and more effectively,” said Jerry Fuentes, president, AT&T New Mexico. “This first-of-its kind network will transform the way our public safety community communicates, in both our urban and rural areas, increasing safety for them and the New Mexicans they serve.”
The FirstNet network will create a first-of-its-kind cutting-edge broadband system including devices, apps and tools specifically tooled for first responders.
“Governor Martinez’s decisive action to partner with FirstNet demonstrates New Mexico’s strong commitment to public safety,” FirstNet CEO Mike Poth said. “The FirstNet network will connect first responders operating across New Mexico’s diverse landscape – including its rural, mountainous and remote areas, as well as federal and tribal lands. FirstNet and AT&T are pleased to have delivered a plan that meets New Mexico’s unique needs, and we look forward to equipping first responders with the communications tools they need every day and in every emergency.”
“This is a great step in making our communities safer,” said Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Scott Weaver. “I spent years as a State Police officer driving around New Mexico in a squad car – in and out of every community in the state. I know firsthand just how exciting this improvement is for our men and women who put on the uniform.”
FirstNet will:
- Connect first responder partners to the critical information they need in a highly secure manner when handling day-to-day operations responding to any emergencies;
- Support large events, like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta;
- Create an efficient data communication experience for public safety personnel in agencies and jurisdictions across the State during natural disasters;
- Enhance network coverage in rural areas, helping first responders and the 690,000+ rural residents they serve in New Mexico;
- Provide access to a dedicated network of deployable technology for additional coverage and support when needed;
- Drive infrastructure investments;
- Usher in a new wave of innovation that first responders can depend on;
- Create an ever-evolving set of life-saving tools for public safety, including public safety apps, specialized devices and Internet of Things technologies; and
- And carries the potential for future integration with NextGen 9-1-1 networks and Smart Cities’ infrastructure.
“We are proud of this partnership and the DOIT team will keep doing everything we can to support our partners in the law enforcement community,” said Department of Information Technology Cabinet Secretary Darryl Ackley. “The Department will do everything we can to work with our technology partners at FirstNet and AT&T to deploy this system and help them make sure it is completely reliable for our men and women who put their lives on the line for us every single day.”
The partnership enables FirstNet and AT&T to begin creating an entirely new wireless ecosystem for public safety broadband communications. New Mexico’s first responder partners will have immediate access to quality of service and priority to voice and data across the existing nationwide AT&T LTE network. Participating first responders and other public safety workers will have dedicated access to the AT&T network when and where they need it year round.
