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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mar 31, 2026
News Media Contact
NTIA, Office of Public Affairs

Secretary Lutnick and AT&T Agree to $2 Billion Deal Benefitting First Responders, Public Safety under FirstNet Contract

WASHINGTON – Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that Secretary Howard Lutnick has partnered with AT&T to secure an additional $2 billion in value to benefit public safety under the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Nationwide Public Safey Broadband Network (NPSBN) contract.

“I am proud to have secured $2 billion in improved value for our nation’s first responders by renegotiating the framework for AT&T’s FirstNet contract—this is a great example of Commerce delivering the Benefit of the Bargain for public safety,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “This didn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of President Trump’s strong leadership and his clear mandate: every deal this government makes must deliver tremendous value for the American people.”

“Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Lutnick, we are strengthening the FirstNet contract to unlock additional value for public safety and ensure first responders have the mission-critical connectivity they need,” said Arielle Roth, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. “This deal delivers real results—expanding coverage, expediting overall 5G buildout for public safety, and adding investment into the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. I appreciate the partnership with AT&T and the expertise of the FirstNet Board that made today’s agreement possible.”

The deal announced today is the result of a collaborative process to deliver greater benefits to public safety users who rely on FirstNet and better value for taxpayers. Specifically, as part of the deal:

  • AT&T will reduce costs borne by FirstNet by roughly $1 billion, unlocking that amount for further investments to the NPSBN. This framework will help promote the accelerated buildout of the Dedicated Public Safety 5G Core.  
  • Additionally, AT&T will invest approximately $1 billion in new network and coverage enhancements, guided by public safety users and the FirstNet Authority Board to ensure these investments directly address the mission critical needs of first responders.

Today’s agreement was made possible through President Trump’s Executive Order on Implementing the President's “Department of Government Efficiency” Cost Efficiency Initiative, which requires agencies to review contracts to ensure that taxpayers are deriving maximum value from every federal dollar. NTIA will continue to pursue strong oversight and accountability of FirstNet and the rest of its programs.

Today’s announcement marks a transformative moment for FirstNet,” said Sheriff Adkinson, Acting FirstNet Board Chair. “The Board now has a major task ahead of it: allocate $1 billion for public safety to enhance the network.  I look forward to collaborating with public safety, the Public Safety Advisory Committee, and my colleagues on the FirstNet Board to turn this number into site builds, in-building coverage, additional deployables, and anything else that meets the moment for public safety.” 

“This agreement-in-principle, created with the Department of Commerce and NTIA, reflects AT&T’s ongoing dedication to our public-private partnership with the FirstNet Authority and public safety,” said Wes Anderson, President of Public Sector, AT&T.  “Nearly a decade ago, when public safety and Congress asked for a partner to build the dedicated communications platform that first responders require, we were the only nationwide carrier willing to raise our hand and commit to a 25-year contract to build it. Today’s announcement illustrates once again, as with prior modifications, our continued commitment to invest in public safety communications. Our dedication to supporting public safety’s vital mission remains unmatched, and we look forward to our continued work with the Department, NTIA, the FirstNet Authority and the public safety community in advancing it.”

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