AT&T has strengthened its FirstNet emergency response in Alaska and Hawaii after expanding its fleet of deployable assets in the two states.

FirstNet operates a network for first responders, which is used by AT&T.

The carrier confirmed that it has delivered 17 new FirstNet and AT&T deployable assets to provide additional support for first responders and the communities they serve across Hawaii and Alaska.

On top of this, AT&T stated that it's expanding its nationwide deployable fleet with 50 new LEO Cell Trailers (LCTs) to further strengthen our response readiness across the country.

The majority of the deployments has been provided to Hawaii, where AT&T and FirstNet have tripled the total deployable assets. In total, 14 FirstNet and AT&T Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) assets have been strategically deployed across the islands of Hawaii, Kaua'i, Maui, and O'ahu.

These assets consist of four new CRDs (Compact Rapid Deployables). According to AT&T, these are dedicated FirstNet portable cell sites that provide up to two miles of on-the-go FirstNet coverage without relying on commercial power availability. 

Six new miniCRDs (Mini Compact Rapid Deployables) have also been deployed. These are made up of two ultra-portable ruggedized cases. The portable cell sites are travel-ready and can be quickly deployed as checked luggage on a commercial flight to provide FirstNet coverage up to half a mile.

AT&T has further beefed up its emergency response fleet in Hawaii with four new LECPs (Low-earth orbit (LEO) Emergency Communication Portables). The LECPS are portable LEO satellite NDR assets, which AT&T claims are about the size of carry-on luggage. They are designed to rapidly restore cell site service by quickly providing alternative backhaul when traditional transport (i.e., fiber or microwave) is disrupted.

Meanwhile, in Alaska, AT&T has added three miniCRDs, which are stationed in Anchorage. FirstNet has previously supported Alaska through wildfires, and helped restore connectivity after undersea cable cuts from arctic sea ice.

With the latest deployments, AT&T has more than 750 assets nationwide, while FirstNet has more than 190 portable assets as part of its fleet.