The Farmville Police Department protects a Virginia town that sits along U.S. 460 and U.S. 15, drawing steady traffic from Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Richmond. With local universities and major events bringing visitors to the town year-round, the department relies on FirstNet for reliable communications. The network is strengthening officer safety, operational readiness, and the department’s ability to serve a rapidly changing community.
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The FirstNet Authority understands that coverage must be expanded in strategic areas that reflect the needs of public safety. Our Coverage Enhancement Program gathers input from public safety on where they need coverage to help guide strategic network investments. Workshops across the nation have provided a forum for state and local government officials and public safety leaders to meet with FirstNet Authority staff to relay where coverage is inadequate and how that impacts operations.
In rural southern Utah, where red rock canyons, forests, small towns, and wide-open terrain coexist, communications for public safety can be a challenge. Given the dramatic differences in the terrain, Northwest Fire and Rescue turned to FirstNet for a secure, robust and dependable network that provides improved communications and rescue capabilities in the backcountry.
The rugged terrain and remote geography of Luzerne County, North Carolina have long presented challenges for first responders who depend on communications to protect residents and visitors. With the addition of a new hilltop cell site in Drums, which improves coverage and capacity around Butler Drive and Old Turnpike Road, the Valley Regional Fire and Rescue team and surrounding public safety agencies will now benefit from expanded coverage.
In December 2025, the FirstNet Authority participated in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 6G Workshop meetings in Baltimore, Maryland. The meeting highlights included the declaration that Release 19 specifications are frozen, and all the working groups are focused on Release 20, particularly the 6G study activities.