Kay Ivey cuts ribbon at new FirstNet Infrastructure at Redstone Arsenal
Emergency responders at Redstone Arsenal are getting a communications boost, Gov. Kay Ivey said. In a news release, the governor said first responders and security personnel at the military site near Huntsville will see improved wireless communications via FirstNet network expansions being completed by AT&T. Ivey was joined at an event announcing the expansions by Deputy Commanding General U.S. Army Materiel Command Lieutenant General Donnie Walker, Vice-Chair of the First Responder Network Authority Board of Directors Chief Richard Carrizzo, and Wayne Hutchens, president of AT&T Alabama. “The collaboration of the U.S. Army and FirstNet will provide U.S. Army public safety personnel – firefighters, law enforcement and security – at 72 Army installations including Redstone Arsenal with increased capabilities to communicate as effectively and efficiently as possible, to best protect themselves and those they serve,” Ivey said in the release. “We are honored to have the U.S. Army Materiel Command headquartered in Alabama and proud to celebrate the FirstNet build at Redstone Arsenal.” According to Military.com, Redstone Arsenal originally was designed to make conventional ammunition and toxic chemicals during World War II and later was designated as the home of Army missiles in 1948. FirstNet, according to the release, provides cell sites that enhance voice and mobile broadband coverage for the Army base. Ivey entered the state into the FirstNet network in 2017 to allow the state’s first responders and emergency personnel more capability to communicate effectively and efficiently. “Without communication, agencies cannot achieve the interoperability needed to bring vital resources to bear, especially when lives are at stake and time is of the essence,” Lt. Gen. Donnie Walker said in the release. “FirstNet gives us this capability. Security and safety of everyone who lives and works on this installation is job one. FirstNet is absolutely essential in that priority and pivotal in our efforts to improve the resilience of our installations. It is, in a word, a game changer.” By Brent Addleman | The Center Square Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
AT&T expands high-speed internet across Alabama
AT&T has expanded it’s high-speed internet service across the Sate of Alabama, impacting over 37,000 Alabama locations in parts of 32 counties. “The thousands of dedicated men and women who work for AT&T and call Alabama home are proud to provide the connectivity Alabama’s residents and businesses demand,” said president of AT&T Alabama, Wayne Hutchens.“ The expansion is in compliance with the FCC’s “Connect America Fund” which has committed to providing the approximately 23 million Americans, in rural areas without access to the internet, access to at least 10/Mbps fixed broadband. “In today’s digital economy, access to high-speed internet is critical, and I’m excited to see AT&T’s continued investment and innovation,” added Anniston-Republican and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh. “Using multiple technologies to enhance internet access across our state, we can close the remaining gaps and continue competing for the best jobs and grow economic opportunity for all Alabama.” The expansions take place mostly in rural areas, with few urban area expansion. AT&T has also expanded their AT&T Fiber network to over 150,000 locations in Alabama. Customers who purchase the “internet 1000” service can download 25 songs in one second, or a 90-minute HD movie in less that 34. “I am thankful for the leadership of our elected officials who work to ensure a pro-consumer business environment and am delighted to see so many Alabama residents benefiting from this innovative technology made possible by private investment,” said Business Council of Alabama President and CEO William J. Canary. According to a press release, parts of these counties in Alabama are now eligible for this service from AT&T: Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Butler, Calhoun, Chambers, Chilton, Coosa, Cullman, Elmore, Escambia, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Morgan, Russell, Shelby, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston.
