AT&T is significantly beefing up its emergency response capabilities in Hawaii and Alaska with 17 new portable communication devices designed to keep first responders connected during disasters. The expansion includes tripling the number of emergency assets stationed in Hawaii and adding new equipment to Alaska's disaster response toolkit.
According to an AT&T announcement, Hawaii is getting 14 new pieces of equipment spread across its islands, including portable cell towers that can provide coverage for up to two miles without needing traditional power sources.
Some of the new gear is compact enough to fit in checked luggage on commercial flights, letting responders quickly fly equipment to remote areas when disasters strike. The islands also receive four new satellite-based devices that can restore cell service when fiber optic cables or other traditional connections fail.
Alaska gets three new ultra-portable cell sites stationed in Anchorage. These additions come after FirstNet's response team has dealt with everything from wildfires to underwater cable damage caused by arctic ice.
The company is also rolling out 50 new "LEO Cell Trailers" nationwide in 2025, nearly quadrupling its fleet to over 65 units. These trailers are designed for quick deployment—a single technician can get one operational within minutes, and four units fit on one flatbed truck for transport.
FirstNet, built specifically for emergency responders through a partnership between AT&T and the federal government, now has over 190 portable assets dedicated to public safety, plus 750 additional AT&T units available nationwide. The network promises to deploy emergency equipment within 14 hours of a request at no extra charge to first responders.
The expansion follows a busy year for disaster response, with FirstNet deploying over 2,165 solutions across various emergencies including the Maui wildfires, Hurricane Helene, California wildfires, and Texas floods.
