This blog is a repost from StateTech Magazine, originally published on May 19, 2025.
When a natural or man-made disaster strikes a community, having a reliable communications system in place can mean life or death for first responders. Many public safety agencies in New Hampshire have turned to FirstNet for communication during crises.
FirstNet is built through a public-private partnership between AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority, an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
The FirstNet Authority is responsible for overseeing the build-out, deployment and operation of the FirstNet network. In addition to oversight of the network, collaboration with public safety agencies is central to the FirstNet Authority’s mission. We work to ensure the FirstNet network continuously evolves to meet the unique needs of first responders nationwide. With coverage consistently ranked as a top priority for public safety, the FirstNet Authority prioritizes expanding and improving the network’s reach, especially in rural areas.
FirstNet Is Expanding Its Coverage
The FirstNet Authority works with public safety to identify potential areas for network coverage. This includes conducting a series of coverage enhancement workshops across the country to share this information and collect additional feedback, ensuring public safety’s input is reflected in future coverage build-outs.
These collaborative sessions are designed to facilitate discussions among public safety agencies, the FirstNet Authority and AT&T about where network coverage improvements are most needed and why. Public safety leaders can use the workshops as a chance to help the FirstNet Authority identify high-priority areas, which are then factored into investment decisions.
The goal of the coverage enhancement workshops is to maximize the benefit of investment dollars and ensure that coverage is enhanced and improved in the most critical areas.
Building Out Coverage in New Hampshire: A Use Case
New Hampshire recently became the first state to host one of these coverage enhancement workshops. Participants identified areas in the state that need coverage improvements.
John Stevens, the New Hampshire Department of Safety’s statewide interoperability coordinator and the FirstNet state point of contact, helped coordinate the workshop with the FirstNet Authority. “FirstNet has been extremely important to New Hampshire, and we recognized that right from the very beginning,” Stevens says.
Creating this partnership with the FirstNet Authority and providing our first responders with the ability to better communicate, that has always been our goal.”
John Stevens Statewide Interoperability Coordinator, New Hampshire Department of Safety
Stevens is responsible for coordinating a variety of activities critical to statewide public safety communications, including interoperability, broadband planning and the deployment of FirstNet. The state’s ongoing success with FirstNet encouraged him to host the inaugural Coverage Enhancement Workshop, ensuring that New Hampshire’s public safety needs continue to be addressed as FirstNet evolves.
“We live in a mountainous, rural state,” Stevens says. “We have communications challenges, both on the LMR side and the LTE side. Creating this partnership with the FirstNet Authority and providing our first responders with the ability to better communicate, that has always been our goal.”
Benefits of FirstNet’s Coverage Enhancement Workshops
During an after-action meeting, Stevens highlighted the key benefits of co-hosting a Coverage Enhancement Workshop with the FirstNet Authority:
1. Learn From Other Public Safety Agencies
The workshop brought leaders together from across the state to discuss coverage needs and operational requirements.
It was attended by the New Hampshire Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee, which consists of about 40 representatives from police; fire; EMS; emergency management; the New Hampshire National Guard; and other state, county and local agencies. The SIEC provided comprehensive input on interdisciplinary coverage needs and communications challenges across New Hampshire jurisdictions.
“Any time we can meet with a significant number of the state’s public safety agencies in one room, we always walk away knowing more,” Stevens says. “We talk about how we can do things more efficiently, what is working, what is not working. The time is truly invaluable.”
2. Make Your Case for Where and Why Your State Needs Improved Broadband Coverage
Attendees highlighted a range of priorities, from addressing dead spots in urban areas to enhancing coverage along New Hampshire’s northern border with Canada. This region, though sparsely populated, is vital for recreation purposes and for national security, making reliable communication essential. The mountainous geography has also contributed to communication challenges, both with land mobile radio and LTE systems.
3. Converse Directly With AT&T and the FirstNet Authority About Your State’s Unique Needs
These ongoing workshops strengthen relationships between public safety agencies and the FirstNet Authority, fostering a shared commitment to advancing communications.
“Having that opportunity to work in cooperation with FirstNet, AT&T and the state of New Hampshire has really been a benefit for all of our first responders,” Stevens says. “I think there's a great opportunity to move the needle forward as far as better communication throughout the state.”
4. Explore FirstNet Solutions That Improve Coverage Immediately
The workshop gave state leaders the opportunity to speak with public safety about their priorities for advancing communications in the state. One of the top priorities identified was improving rural coverage as soon as possible, for the safety of first responders and the public.
Immediately following the workshop, the New Hampshire Department of Safety connected with the FirstNet Authority’s network contractor, AT&T, to explore ways the state can tap into existing FirstNet solutions to improve connectivity immediately.
In less than 60 days following the workshop, AT&T launched a pilot program with the New Hampshire State Police to test FirstNet’s mini Compact Rapid Deployables (miniCRDs) and High-Power User Equipment free of charge. This state-of-the-art technology is extending network coverage along the northern border of the state, a rural area that has historically lacked coverage.
