What Is FirstNet--and What Are the Benefits for Channel Partners?

Learn how to enable your customers to connect their public safety fleet to FirstNet.

GetWireless Guest Blogger

March 8, 2021

3 Min Read
FirstNet
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FirstNet keeps first responders and communities safe. It is the nationwide Public Safety broadband network, services and solutions that are dedicated to first responders and those that support them.

How does FirstNet work?

FirstNet is a dedicated high-speed communications platform using LTE cellular technologies along with its own core network and SIM cards. LTE is the baseline technology with FirstNet operating on multiple frequencies. Each new frequency essentially adds a lane to the highway, making travel faster and safer for everyone. FirstNet increases the speed of transmission for high-speed data, location information, images, and video that can mean all the difference when seconds count.

What are the benefits of FirstNet?

  • Emergencies cross jurisdictions – sharing one network improves communication and creates better coordination with other responders

  • Network capacity and priority

  • Connecting responders in rural America

  • Improved situational awareness

  • New applications

Who can use FirstNet?

  • 911 Emergency Responders

  • EMS and Fire Service

  • Law Enforcement

  • Emergency Management

  • Federal Users

  • Tribal Nations

  • Other approved support agencies

What is the cost of FirstNet?

FirstNet was designed to be the first accessible and affordable solution to bring all emergency professionals together on one network. Costs will vary depending on usage and the number of devices in the field.

What are Priority and Pre-emption?

Priority and Pre-emption are two features of FirstNet that give first responders priority access to voice, data and video communication when commercial networks are congested. Priority puts first responders at the front of the lane. Preemption removes other users from the highway, giving first responders access to all the lanes they need.

What is Band 14?

Band 14 is the dedicated frequency spectrum for public safety in the 700 MHz band with several key advantages such as better penetration through buildings as well as increased coverage in rural areas. Combined with Priority and Pre-emption, Band 14 gives first responders priority access to the network when commercial networks are congested.

Why Start with Sierra for Public Safety?

  • Sierra Wireless has over 20 years of proven experience in public safety and is the market leader in cellular embedded modules, routers, and gateways for public safety.

  • Three out of four high-performance EMS fleets in North America use AirLink networking solutions from Sierra Wireless.

  • Sierra Wireless has deployed over 3 million routers and gateways worldwide, and more than half of the top 100 police agencies use AirLink routers.

  • Activate where you buy: As a value-added distributor of Sierra Wireless IoT Solutions, GetWireless simplifies the procurement of cellular hardware and connectivity services. As a single source offering hardware, activations and professional services, we streamline the process for our partners to get connected on the FirstNet network.

Why Partner with GetWireless and Sierra Wireless?

Together with Sierra Wireless, GetWireless offers a global channel ecosystem designed to help our resale partners drive incremental revenue by offering leading IoT products, a robust partner program and an easy partnership that provides tools to grow your business. Our channel program fuels collaborative growth, together with our partners. Our services comprise decades of experience working exclusively with channel partners in the IoT, mobility, in-building connectivity, fleet tracking and many wireless markets.

Available services include:

  • Pre- and post-sales support from certified sales and technical teams as well as training opportunities to enable your sales and technical teams

  • Deal registration and sales collaboration to generate margin, protect price and drive effective sales cycles

  • Collaborative demand creation and marketing services in addition to a wide selection of professional services

  • Comprehensive inventory with strong logistics management for market leading IoT solutions consisting of hardware, software and device management

  • Sample and demonstration programs

GetWireless offers the solutions, tools and support to enable you and your customers to succeed in public safety. Contact us to learn more or to speak to one of our IoT experts today.

David Smith is the Vice President of IoT Solutions at GetWireless

This guest blog is part of a Channel Futures sponsorship.

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