Under a new agreement with Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) in southern Nevada announced last month, AT&T will provide its 5G services to the base. AT&T will also deliver its FirstNet nationwide public safety communications platform to eligible public safety personnel across Nellis AFB.
AT&T will equip the base with 5G infrastructure to support wireless data and voice services connecting Nellis AFB's more than 40,000 United States Air Force personnel, their families, and retirees. It will also provide wireless high-speed external and in-building connectivity across Nellis' flight line, facilities, dormitories, and the Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center.
According to a press statement, AT&T and Nellis AFB expect the deployment will result in a communications platform equipped to support a broad array of technology tools and innovations that can help the base modernize its approach to its mission.
The stakeholders say potential Nellis use cases powered by AT&T's 5G infrastructure could include: support for enhanced flight line operations, where mission data is transferred at high speeds with lower latency from the data platforms, sensors and onboard systems of arriving/departing aircraft to on-ground personnel; enhanced continuous video surveillance and analytics for increased base security; improved virtual, geographically distributed training for the base's Virtual Test and Training Center using AR/VR capabilities; near real-time management of inventory and aircraft schematics; improved use of parts, and better diagnostics analysis.
In addition to deploying 5G infrastructure, AT&T will deliver its FirstNet capabilities across the base for eligible first responder and public safety personnel. FirstNet is designed to strengthen communications among city, county, state, federal and tribal public safety professionals via critical capabilities, such as priority and preemption functions to help keep vital communications connected in the event of an emergency.
AT&T states that its "approach to 5G is based on a new set of network security standards that will ultimately offer improved encryption protections for wireless communications. New security features will eventually include enhanced capabilities to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats while helping to protect subscriber identities, network access and device authentication," adds the provider.
"We're honored to equip Nellis with a comprehensive communications solution built to support innovative services such as 5G and FirstNet," commented Mike Leff, Vice President, AT&T Global Public Sector.
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