Broadband  |  2024-09-18

T-Mobile Announces ‘T-Priority’ for First Responders

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

T-Priority brings agencies of all sizes cutting-edge 5G solutions, best-in-class partners and America’s best 5G network experience for first responders.

T-Mobile unveiled a groundbreaking new solution called T-Priority – designed specifically to meet the critical needs of first responders. T-Priority features several cutting-edge applications including the world’s first network slice for first responders, best in class industry partners, and an emergency team ready 24/7 to support disasters. 

Because T-Priority was designed for the most scaled and challenging requirements, T-Mobile announced today that the City of New York will be the anchor customer for T-Priority. The City of New York is leveraging their partnership with T-Mobile's leading network for their employees, as the city continues to innovate and implement cutting-edge technologies. 

Today’s connectivity solutions often struggle to meet the evolving demands of modern first responders during emergency situations. Enter T-Priority. Day-to-day T-Priority features include: 

  • Priority access and preemption for voice and data on the nation’s leading 5G network.
  • 2.5x faster speeds on average than other providers for data-intensive communications.
  • 40% more 5G capacity than other providers to help more first responders stay connected.
  • More 5G coverage than AT&T and Verizon, with T-Mobile covering 98% of Americans. And T-
  • Mobile recently made significant investments to expand coverage in rural America to tackle coverage gaps.
  • Enhanced security with access to a security slice from T-Mobile SASE that helps defend against cyberthreats.

 

“First responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and they deserve nothing less than the most advanced connectivity solutions to do their critical work,” said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. “With T-Priority, we’re more committed than ever to serving those who serve us all by delivering a dedicated 5G solution to agencies of all sizes across the country. At T-Mobile, our job is to make sure first responders can count on a consistent 5G experience that will evolve to meet the changing needs of the first responder mission, backed by a dedicated, award-winning support system, to be ready when it matters most.”

“Our north star for the City of New York is to make it safer and more affordable for all New Yorkers, including our dedicated public servants,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser. "Providing our agencies and all city employees with the latest technologies is crucial to achieving this mission, and with T-Priority we will continue to do so.”

T-Priority is a first-of-its-kind solution to keep first responders connected in the 5G era of public safety. The world’s first network slice for first responders helps ensure best-in-class connectivity, not just day-to-day, but also in times of extreme congestion, and supports a wide range of data-intensive applications that make up an increasing share of traffic in the day-to-day lives of first responders.

Here’s how it works: think of the slice like a traffic cop. It’s always directing network traffic to ensure first responders have the best possible experience. It makes sure they get lower latency and faster 5G speeds more consistently for data-intensive communications tools by giving them up to 5 times the network resources of the average user.

The slice really shines in rare times of extreme congestion. Imagine if an emergency caused a massive spike in cellular traffic during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The network is already packed with people on Bourbon Street live streaming the parade. A surge on top of that could result in extreme congestion. As first responders stream into the area to help, the slice ensures their traffic is prioritized above everyone else.  As the event escalates and more and more first responders show up, the network effectively becomes a first responder network, and the network will work to maintain a minimum service level to all of them.  And, given the huge capacity of T-Mobile’s 5G network, that large group of first responders is supported.