FIRSTNET in Alameda County, CA
- Thread starter madogusn
- Start date
FirstNet is a wireless carrier for government users (operated by AT&T). Some agencies may be using it for their mobile phone/data services, but otherwise all radio voice communications are on the EBRCS system in the East Bay.
Thank you,
Ravenfalls
Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2002
- Messages
- 423
All agencies will have the FN PTT app, who uses it as a backup or primary is anyone's guess. New radios work off cellular to extend coverage outside their primary area.
As agencies dissappear from the assigned FCC frequencies, it's anyone's guess, if First Net or satellite PTT is their primary now?
As agencies dissappear from the assigned FCC frequencies, it's anyone's guess, if First Net or satellite PTT is their primary now?
All agencies may eventually have access to the app, but far from all agencies have or use it. In fact, I don't know of a single agency in the EBRCS service area that uses it. First Net is mostly just a way for first responders to get priority on the cell sites in an emergency. Any AT&T store will try to sell it to you as soon as they find out you're a first responder.
No radio on the EBRCS system has cellular capabilities. When we get out of range, we "extend our range through cellular" by picking up our cell phones. My radio works better than my cell phone anyway. Far fewer dead spots.
Anyway, nobody is "switching to FirstNet". We'll all be encrypted first.
