AT&T Picked to Build FirstNet Network; Motorola Solutions, Others Involved

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross confirmed Thursday that AT&T was selected as head of a team to build the national communications network for first responders (see here and here), during an event this morning (see here). AT&T will spend $40 billion to build and operate the network, creating 10,000 U.S. jobs, said CEO Randall Stephenson. The deal is for 25 years. Motorola Solutions confirmed it's involved, and AT&T identified others, too, which a FirstNet spokeswoman confirmed to us are participating.

"FirstNet will provide 20 MHz of high-value, telecommunications spectrum and success-based payments of $6.5 billion over the next five years to support the Network buildout," said the network authority. "AT&T will spend about $40 billion over the life of the contract to build, deploy, operate and maintain the network ... AT&T will connect FirstNet users to the company’s telecommunications network assets."

"AT&T has assembled a team that includes Motorola Solutions, General Dynamics, Sapient Consulting and Inmarsat Government," the carrier said in its own announcement. Motorola Solutions "is pleased to be a key player in the team selected by FirstNet to build the nationwide public safety broadband network," a company spokeswoman emailed us.

“This is an historical event for public safety,” said FirstNet Vice Chairman Jeff Johnson. “This is not done” and execution will be critical, he said.

The department moved quickly after the FirstNet board Tuesday voted to authorize FirstNet CEO Mike Poth to award a contract (see 1703280013). Ross tied the launch of FirstNet back to problems revealed during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and House Commerce Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., and other key members of Congress were also among those at the department for the announcement.