AT&T and FirstNet Expand Deployable Assets to Strengthen Public Safety Communications Across Hawaii and Alaska

AT&T and FirstNet are expanding their support with 17 new deployable assets to assist first responders and communities across Hawaii and Alaska.

When disaster strikes, rapid and reliable communication is essential, especially for public safety on the frontlines. That is why FirstNet®, Built with AT&T – the only network built with and for America’s first responders – remains the only network with deployable assets dedicated exclusively to public safety.

AT&T and FirstNet are now expanding that commitment by delivering 17 new FirstNet and AT&T deployable assets to provide additional support for first responders and the communities they serve across Hawaii and Alaska. In addition, 50 new LEO Cell Trailers (LCTs) are being added to AT&T’s nationwide deployable fleet to further strengthen response readiness across the country.

Tripling Hawaii’s Deployable Assets

From tsunamis and flash floods to wildfires and volcanic eruptions, Hawaii is uniquely exposed to natural disasters. Based on local public safety’s direct feedback, as part of the dedicated FirstNet fleet, deployable assets have long been stationed year-round across Hawaii – a capability commercial competitors cannot claim.

Now, building on public safety’s feedback regarding the unique emergency response needs of island geographies, AT&T and FirstNet are tripling local assets with 14 new FirstNet and AT&T Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) assetsstrategically placed across the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. This expansion further strengthens public safety’s access to the critical connectivity they require in an emergency.

The new assets include:

• 4 new CRDs (Compact Rapid Deployables): Dedicated FirstNet portable cell sites that provide up to two miles of on-the-go FirstNet coverage without relying on commercial power availability.
• 6 new miniCRDs (Mini Compact Rapid Deployables): Comprised of two ultra-portable ruggedized cases, these portable cell sites are travel-ready and can be quickly deployed as checked luggage on a commercial flight to provide FirstNet coverage up to half a mile.
• 4 new LECPs (Low-Earth Orbit Emergency Communication Portables): Lightweight, portable LEO satellite NDR assets, about the size of carry-on luggage, that rapidly restore cell site service by quickly providing alternative backhaul when traditional transport (such as fiber or microwave) is disrupted.

Doubling Down on Dedicated Public Safety Support in Alaska

AT&T and FirstNet reaffirm their commitment to delivering communications that America’s first responders can count on in any emergency. No other carrier has portable cell sites dedicated solely and exclusively to public safety – all available 24/7 at no additional charge and within a 14-hour (or less) delivery objective following an initial emergency request.

Alaska’s first responders are now gaining a new deployable form factor to support their mission needs with the addition of three new miniCRDs stationed in Anchorage. The FirstNet Response Operations Group™ (ROG) has supported Alaska through wildfires, restored connectivity after undersea cable cuts from arctic sea ice, and most recently stood ready to assist public safety after flooding from the remnants of Typhoon Halong.

Expanding the Fleet with LEO Cell Trailers (LCTs)

AT&T leads the way in disaster and emergency response – investing more than $1 billion into the industry’s largest disaster recovery program since 1992 and driving cutting-edge connectivity that redefines resilience and enhances performance.

The company is significantly expanding its fleet with LEO Cell Trailers (LCTs), designed to deliver high-speed temporary cell service in the harshest environments. Their compact design allows four units to be transported on a single flatbed trailer, and a single technician can have them operational within minutes.

After engineering and deploying more than a dozen new LCTs in 2024, AT&T added 50 more in 2025, nearly quadrupling the total to more than 65 LCTs nationwide. LCTs have already proven their value in emergencies, including recent deployments during the Texas floods.

Furthering Public Safety’s Command and Control

In partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), AT&T remains responsive and accountable to public safety needs in ways that other networks and carriers are not.

FirstNet, Built with AT&T is not a commercial offering to first responders; it is a unique network purposefully developed with and for the public safety community. AT&T works closely with the FirstNet Authority and with federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local public safety officials to understand their unique connectivity needs.

With the new additions, public safety’s dedicated FirstNet fleet now includes 190+ portable assets, in addition to more than 750 AT&T assets nationwide.

Living the Purpose

The FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG), led by former first responders, works in tandem with the AT&T Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) team to deliver deployable assets and other critical solutions where public safety needs them most.

This year alone, ROG has triaged and deployed more than 2,165 solutions in response to incidents, disasters, and planned events. From the Maui wildfires and Hurricane Helene to recent events such as the California wildfires and Texas floods, there is no major disaster or event in the United States where FirstNet is not playing a critical role.

ROG and NDR team members are at the heart of every deployment, expertly managing each situation and recognizing the vital importance of communication. Their adaptability and innovation enable effective response and continued support for public safety when it is needed most.

Whether facing hurricanes, wildfires, blizzards, tornadoes, or any other emergency, AT&T and FirstNet remain committed to helping communities stay connected and safe.