The Big Game represents one of the largest coordinated public safety operations of the year, requiring seamless communication infrastructure across multiple jurisdictions and emergency response agencies. FirstNet, AT&T's specialized first responder network, is demonstrating how enterprise-grade connectivity solutions scale to support complex, large-scale operations.
According to AT&T's official announcement, FirstNet has orchestrated a comprehensive connectivity plan for the event following extensive coordination with the City of San Jose, San Jose Police Department, San Jose Fire Department, and numerous federal, state, and local agencies. The deployment showcases FirstNet's technical architecture and its operational protocols for mission-critical scenarios.
As detailed by AT&T, FirstNet operates on a fundamentally different framework than commercial cellular networks. The network utilizes Band 14 spectrum with a dedicated public safety infrastructure that prevents priority degradation during peak usage.
Unlike conventional networks that implement QoS (Quality of Service) throttling during congestion periods, FirstNet maintains guaranteed bandwidth allocation for emergency communications through its network design mandate.
The technical deployment strategy includes multiple redundancy layers. FirstNet has positioned SatCOLTs (Satellite Cells on Light Trucks) with satellite backhaul capabilities throughout the Bay Area, along with Response Communications Vehicles (RCVs) and Compact Rapid Deployable (CRD) units.
The deployment also leverages AT&T's newer LEO Cell Trailer technology, which delivers high-speed connectivity in environments where traditional infrastructure may be compromised or unavailable.
Operational command and control is managed through FirstNet's Response Operations Group (ROG), staffed with personnel experienced in emergency response protocols. The ROG will maintain physical presence at the stadium while simultaneously operating within Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in Santa Clara and San Francisco.
This distributed command model enables rapid decision-making and asset reallocation based on real-time operational conditions.
The network's capacity planning reflects FirstNet's broader infrastructure philosophy. The organization maintains over 190 dedicated deployable assets available 24/7 at no additional cost to public safety agencies.
This dedicated fleet operates in concert with AT&T's commercial asset portfolio of 750+ devices, all coordinated by a 400-member Network Disaster Recovery team. The approach ensures scalability without requiring temporary service agreements or emergency procurement procedures.
For large-scale event management and disaster response scenarios, FirstNet's model demonstrates how purpose-built infrastructure, dedicated spectrum allocation, and experienced operational teams create reliability that commercial networks cannot guarantee during high-stress situations.
