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Oakland County IT explains switch of county-issued phones to AT&T FirstNet for first-responder priority
Summary
County IT told the committee that most county-issued devices were moved to AT&T FirstNet to give first-responder priority, a dedicated public-safety band and vendor support, with exceptions allowed where coverage is poor.
Oakland County IT officials briefed the committee on a transition of county-issued devices to AT&T FirstNet, a nationwide public-safety communications network created after 9/11 to prioritize first responders during incidents.
Monty Logan, director of infrastructure services in Oakland County IT, said FirstNet provides priority traffic for designated first-responder devices and operates on a dedicated public-safety band (band 14). "FirstNet is a ... AT and T FirstNet dedicated network for first responders and public safety organizations," Logan said, explaining that calls and data for FirstNet users can be prioritized or preempted when networks are congested during emergencies.
Logan said the county moved the bulk of its county-issued devices to FirstNet, citing improved service and vendor assistance during the transition. He noted benefits including device replacements at no cost in some cases and what he described as a "white glove" support experience from AT&T during renewals. The county will allow exceptions where FirstNet coverage is insufficient at an employee's residence.
Tammy Shepherd, the county's business relationship manager, and other IT staff answered commissioners' questions about coverage, the dedicated band and customer service. IT officials described the change as intended to prioritize public-safety communications in the county and improve overall device support for county staff.
The communications materials that included the FirstNet briefing were received by the committee as part of a consent receiving action on multiple items; that receiving motion carried at the committee vote.
