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A scenic view of a winding road cutting through rocky hills in South Dakota, with a group of motorcyclists riding one behind the other along the curve of the road, surrounded by hills and rural terrain under a partly cloudy sky.

Enhancing Emergency Communications in South Dakota with Mission Critical Push-to-Talk

With many rural jurisdictions in South Dakota experiencing degraded land mobile radio coverage in remote areas, the state of South Dakota began exploring how FirstNet Mission Critical Push-to-Talk could help address coverage, capacity, and interoperability limitations. By integrating this broadband solution with the statewide radio communications system to streamline emergency communications, South Dakota is using FirstNet-MCPTT to address interoperability challenges and expand radio capabilities.

A group of people gathered in a wooded area attending the annual Groundhog Day ceremony

Pre-planning in Punxsutawney: How FirstNet supported Public Safety on Groundhog Day

When the Groundhog Day annual ceremony attracted more than 50,000 visitors to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Police alongside local, state, and federal agencies, tapped into operational assistance from the FirstNet Authority. The FirstNet Authority worked closely with public safety officials to evaluate network coverage and ensure reliable communication for the event. Throughout the day, FirstNet provided high-speed coverage that allowed the multiple agencies to coordinate seamlessly and respond swiftly to emerging needs.

An interconnected network backdrop with six boxes each depicting public safety operations, including: responders setting up FirstNet equipment, a FirstNet Authority official talking to a responder in an mountainous area, a reflective safety vest that reads "Federal FirstNet", a FirstNet Authority official and a first responder sharing information on a mobile device, public safety official connecting a laptop to a FirstNet-supported system, and a truck pulling a portable compact rapid deployable in the snow.

FirstNet Authority Workshops Help Public Safety Assess, Improve Operational Capabilities

For public safety agencies that rely on FirstNet, the FirstNet Authority offers critical support through planning support, post-event reviews, and workshops that help agencies assess their current communications capabilities, identify coverage gaps, and implement strategies for improvement. Whether preparing for an event or evaluating response after an incident, FirstNet Authority operational assistance can help public safety agencies enhance their FirstNet experience and improve overall readiness to better support their communities.

A group of people dressed in business attire taking notes on electronic devices while seated in a large conference room with three oversized presentation screens at the 3GPP 6G workshop; “3GPP”

3GPP shifts focus toward 6G while continuing work on 5G-advanced

In March 2025, the FirstNet Authority participated in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 6G workshop, followed by the quarterly 3GPP plenary meetings. The workshop and meetings focused on progressing features important to public safety. The FirstNet Authority continued to represent public safety interests.

An interconnected network backdrop with three images of FirstNet towers, including a tower overlooking mountains, forest and a lake; a tower situated near a road and forest; and a FirstNet tower near a green open field surrounded by a dense forest.

New Hampshire Public Safety Agencies Make the Case for Improved Broadband

The FirstNet Authority holds coverage enhancement workshops across the country for public safety agencies to identify potential areas for network coverage. New Hampshire became the first state to host a coverage enhancement workshop and identified areas in the state that need coverage improvements.