AT&T Launches FirstNet Fusion Communications Platform

AT&T has launched FirstNet Fusion, a communications platform designed to connect first responders across different radio systems and wireless carriers. 

The platform represents the first mission-critical system to enable interoperability across virtually any radio network used by public safety agencies in the US.

FirstNet was established following the September 11 attacks, when communication failures between emergency services hampered coordination efforts. The attacks killed 2,977 people and exposed incompatible radio systems that prevented different agencies from working together during the crisis. Congress created the First Responder Network Authority in 2012, and the organisation selected AT&T to build and manage the network through a public-private partnership in 2017.

The network now serves 7.8 million connections across 30,600 agencies, according to figures released in October 2025. It represents growth of 1.4 million connections from the previous year, when the network served 6.4 million connections and 29,000 agencies. AT&T completed the initial buildout by the March 2023 deadline, and FirstNet now reaches more than 99% of the US population.

FirstNet Fusion platform integrates push-to-talk and dispatch systems

Around 10,000 different and incompatible land mobile radio networks currently operate across the United States. 

These networks have served as the primary means of voice communication for public safety agencies for decades, but the fragmented infrastructure creates barriers during major incidents requiring mutual aid across jurisdictions.

FirstNet Fusion consolidates push-to-talk, NextGen 9-1-1 dispatch, and connected devices into a single platform. The system allows first responders to create customisable talk groups and channels in seconds, compared to the hours or days required on conventional radio infrastructure. The groups can include more members than traditional radio networks support.

Scott Agnew, president of FirstNet, AT&T, says: "FirstNet is in a league of its own – and Fusion further reinforces our unwavering commitment to providing all first responders with the tools they need to protect communities and save lives." 

"As the first to deliver nationwide mission-critical push-to-talk and now bringing public safety a future-ready interoperability solution for the connected responder, we are setting a new standard for how America responds to emergencies and coordinates operations."

The platform will be available to all first responders, regardless of whether they subscribe to FirstNet individually, through their public safety agency, or use a different wireless carrier. 

First responders on other cellular networks will have access to all application features, enabling cross-agency communication without requiring them to switch providers.

The Third Generation Partnership Project standardised Mission Critical Push to Talk in Release 13, which was completed in 2016. The standards enable interoperable voice communication over LTE networks, addressing requirements specific to public safety operations including priority access and preemption capabilities. These specifications allow equipment from different manufacturers to work together on broadband networks.

Fusion Link gateway connects legacy land mobile radio systems

The platform includes Fusion Link, a universal gateway designed to integrate with virtually any traditional radio system used by public safety agencies. The gateway adheres to 3GPP and APCO P25 open standards, allowing agencies to augment existing infrastructure without proprietary hardware or vendor-locked systems.

Project 25 is a suite of standards developed by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International to provide interoperable land mobile radio systems. The standards were established in 1989 and are maintained by the Telecommunications Industry Association.

P25 enables equipment from different manufacturers to communicate across agencies and jurisdictions, addressing the interoperability problems that became apparent during the September 11 attacks.

Existing solutions for bridging land mobile radio systems and broadband-enabled push-to-talk exist, but these typically require closed systems with expensive hardware. 

The open standards approach adopted by Fusion Link enables agencies of all sizes to connect their critical infrastructure affordably, turning fragmented response into unified action.

The system will include end-to-end encryption across voice and data, with the highest priority on the FirstNet network. The platform will be compatible across a range of devices, particularly form factors preferred by first responders in field operations.

Axon and Carbyne integrations planned for situational awareness

FirstNet Fusion is designed as an open platform that will integrate with other public safety technology ecosystems. Planned integrations include Axon's Fusus situational awareness platform and Carbyne's APEX 9-1-1 call-handling platform, creating a one-stop shop for emergency response coordination.

The Carbyne integration will enable 9-1-1 telecommunicators to send information gathered from emergency callers, including location data and video, directly to incident commanders and first responders. It eliminates the need for telecommunicators to access traditional radio systems and communicate information verbally, reducing response times by saving seconds during critical moments.

The Axon integration will provide direct access to information such as live location data and video feeds from body-worn cameras and other connected devices. The Fusus platform will display the location of Fusion-enabled devices, improving situational awareness for first responders coordinating operations in the field.

AT&T is working with other public safety technology providers to enable additional integrations.

Platform launch scheduled for November controlled introduction

FirstNet Fusion will be available to select public safety agencies as part of a controlled introduction in November, with a wider launch scheduled for early 2026. When launched, the platform will be the most affordable mission-critical push-to-talk solution available to the industry.

In February 2024, the First Responder Network Authority and AT&T announced an US$8bn investment over 10 years to expand 5G capabilities and mission-critical services. The investment includes US$6.3bn through the network contract with AT&T for construction of 1,000 cell sites within two years and development of a standalone 5G core. The FirstNet Authority budgeted US$534m for network investments for fiscal year 2025.

AT&T launched 1,000 new cell sites with Band 14 spectrum in April 2025, expanding the dedicated public safety spectrum to more locations based on input from first responders. Band 14 is the 20 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum licensed to the FirstNet Authority by the federal government specifically for public safety communications.

FirstNet now covers more than 2.97 million square miles, which AT&T states is 250,000 square miles more than commercial networks. 

The network delivered more than 1,000 purpose-built cell sites in locations where state and public safety stakeholders identified coverage needs for emergency response. AT&T also installed more than 11,000 in-building signal boosters in public safety buildings nationwide.

The company is working with AST SpaceMobile on cellular Non-Terrestrial Networks coverage for first responders, testing mission-critical capabilities such as push-to-talk services via satellite. AT&T highlighted that high-powered user equipment solutions enable FirstNet to offer better indoor coverage than standard cellular equipment.