Verizon has this week announced network slicing availability for Verizon Frontline.
The carrier revealed the service will be available across 29 US markets using its 5G Standalone (5G SA) mobile network.
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Verizon Frontline is Verizon's dedicated connectivity solution for first responders in the US.
According to Verizon, its Frontline network slice is a 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) virtual network slice which is completely dedicated to public safety.
The carrier notes that the slice allows for the allocation of network resources within Verizon’s network infrastructure.
The 5G UW network capacity is exclusively reserved for first responders, while the service is tailored for critical applications. Verizon notes that the network slices improve reliability and deliver flexible scalability.
Providing an example of how the slices can be utilized, Verizon said it can be used for connected vehicles to deliver enhanced in-vehicle connectivity for first responders, providing a mobile working environment with access to 5G UW network resources completely dedicated to the needs of public safety users.
"The launch of the Verizon Frontline Network Slice continues our unwavering commitment to meeting the highly specialized needs of first responders and is a crucial step forward in the evolution of public safety communications," said Kyle Malady, CEO of Verizon Business.
Verizon Frontline Network Slice is now available in 29 markets, including Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Network slicing has previously been used by rival carrier T-Mobile in response to the wildfires in Los Angeles earlier this year.
The company launched T-Priority in September, a dedicated service for first responders that uses network slicing. During the fires in LA, T-Mobile integrated networking slicing for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
The carrier activated the T-Priority slice at no additional cost. It was the first major disaster since T-Mobile launched T-Priority.
