Governor McMaster Announces Broadband Network for First Responders Coming to South Carolina

ABC Team

[gtxvideo vid=’W92Dxgoe’ thumb=’http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/W92Dxgoe.jpg’ vtitle=’FirstNet’]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)- A new broadband system is coming to our state, hoping to make sure first respond can communicate efficiently in times of danger.

South Carolina became the 30th state in the nation to adopt a network plan that helps emergency personnel respond in a faster amount of time Thursday.

Governor Henry McMaster said last week, our state opted into an AT&T broadband system that will allow public safety officials to have priority over other cellphone users.

Local agencies say the network will be a great resource to law enforcement in handling disasters here. “When we had the flood, we were concerned about some of the structural integrity of the bridges and if we should close them. We were trying to text pictures to DOT and county engineers, and in many cases we weren’t able to do that because of high usage of the cell phone. This will prioritize that and give us that opportunity,” said Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster.

The network began as call to support our nation’s first responders after suffering one of our biggest tragedies.
“The last recommendation of the 9/11 commission was that a nationwide inoperable network be stood up. In 2012, Congress enacted a statue that created FirstNet which is an independent authority within the government,”  said Poth.
Governor McMaster said building and operating the network comes at no costs to the state as it is apart of a more than 40 billion dollar effort to enhance public safety. Officials said they will begin enabling the network Friday, November 2nd and hope to finish phasing the technology in over the next four years.
Categories: National News, News, State

Related Posts