LOCK HAVEN, Pennsylvania – AT&T has announced the deployment of a new purpose-built 5G cell site near Lock Haven in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, expanding FirstNet® connectivity for first responders and improving wireless coverage across the region.

Located near Nittany Road, approximately 1.5 miles from the Dunnstown Volunteer Fire Department, the new site was developed in direct response to public safety feedback to strengthen wireless connectivity for emergency personnel operating in rural communities. The deployment forms part of AT&T and the federal government's ongoing efforts to expand FirstNet coverage in areas where reliable communications are most critical.

The announcement was made at the Dunnstown Volunteer Fire Department, bringing together local, state and federal officials to highlight the importance of dedicated public safety communications infrastructure and the continued expansion of FirstNet.

“FirstNet was designed to meet the needs of all first responders, including those in rural communities like Lock Haven. This new FirstNet site strengthens coverage and gives first responders the connectivity they need to coordinate during emergencies and serve residents when it matters most,” said Allen Proithis, a member of the FirstNet Authority Board.

The new deployment is part of a broader strategic investment involving more than 350 additional cell sites planned across all 50 U.S. states. The FirstNet Authority, working in collaboration with AT&T, identifies priority deployment locations through data modelling and direct feedback from public safety agencies, including local coverage enhancement workshops and community engagement initiatives.

Established by the U.S. Congress following the September 11 attacks, FirstNet is the nation's only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated exclusively to public safety. Developed through a public-private partnership between the federal government and AT&T, the network is purpose-built to address the operational and communications requirements of emergency services.

FirstNet provides first responders with dedicated capabilities, including always-on priority and preemption across AT&T's commercial spectrum bands, alongside dedicated Band 14 spectrum. These capabilities are designed to help maintain access to critical communications resources during emergencies and periods of increased network demand.

With federal government oversight and continuous input from the public safety community, FirstNet continues to evolve in response to the changing operational requirements of emergency services. AT&T has expanded the network to support more first responders than any other nationwide network in the United States.

Beyond strengthening mission-critical communications for emergency personnel, the new Lock Haven-area site will also improve wireless connectivity for AT&T commercial customers throughout the surrounding region, including Pennsylvania's Wilds.

The deployment further demonstrates the ongoing commitment of AT&T and the FirstNet Authority to extending reliable broadband connectivity into underserved rural communities, ensuring that first responders have access to the communications infrastructure they need when every second counts.