AT&T launches dedicated SA 5G core for FirstNet nationwide

TL;DR: AT&T launched a dedicated standalone (SA) 5G core for FirstNet in the US in 2026. The core is physically separate from AT&T’s commercial network, uses multiple geographically distributed core sites, and restricts access to devices with a FirstNet SIM. AT&T said FirstNet subscribers are already being moved to the new core at no extra cost, though service requires a compatible device and plan and is not available everywhere.

AT&T launched a dedicated standalone (SA) 5G core for FirstNet in the United States in 2026. AT&T said the core is the first and only nationwide SA 5G core built specifically for first responders. The operator said the new core is physically separate from its commercial network infrastructure and keeps public safety traffic separate from commercial traffic.

AT&T said the FirstNet core runs across multiple geographically distributed core sites to add redundancy. The operator said the upgrade improves performance and resilience, including faster upload speeds and better responsiveness for public safety use cases such as body-worn cameras and mission-critical communications applications. AT&T added that access is limited to devices using a FirstNet SIM and that a dedicated security operations centre monitors the network continuously.

AT&T said the new core will support a broader initiative called Adaptive Mission Performance, which is intended to tailor network performance to specific public safety applications instead of using a single network slice on commercial infrastructure. FirstNet subscribers are already being transitioned to the new core at no additional cost, according to AT&T. The operator said the service requires a compatible device and plan and is not available everywhere. Mobile World Live reported that AT&T rolled out its SA 5G core last year, T-Mobile US launched its SA 5G network in 2020, and Verizon Frontline launched SA 5G-based service for first responders in select markets in 2025.

Related questions

• What is FirstNet’s new standalone 5G core?
• How is AT&T separating FirstNet traffic from commercial traffic?
• What devices and plans are required to access the new FirstNet core?
• How does AT&T’s FirstNet approach differ from T-Mobile US and Verizon Frontline?