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  "description": "AT&T agreed to invest up to $2 billion in upgrades to the FirstNet emergency cellular network and lower federal rates expected to save the government up to $1 billion, the Commerce Department announced 31 March 2026. CEO John Stankey finalized the terms after months of negotiations with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, prompted by a 2025 executive order directing agencies to scrutinize federal contracts.\n\nIn exchange, Commerce agreed to accelerate approval of network upgrades. FirstNet, create",
  "path": "/at-t-agrees-to-2-billion-in-firstnet-upgrades-under-renegotiated-commerce-deal/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-01T00:31:10.000Z",
  "site": "https://washingtonhorizon.com",
  "tags": [
    "FirstNet",
    "announced",
    "reauthorizing"
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  "textContent": "AT&T agreed to invest up to $2 billion in upgrades to the FirstNet emergency cellular network and lower federal rates expected to save the government up to $1 billion, the Commerce Department announced 31 March 2026. CEO John Stankey finalized the terms after months of negotiations with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, prompted by a 2025 executive order directing agencies to scrutinize federal contracts.\n\nIn exchange, Commerce agreed to accelerate approval of network upgrades. FirstNet, created in 2017 with $6.5 billion in public funding, serves roughly 31,000 public safety agencies nationwide, prioritizing first responder communications during emergencies. AT&T's original contract commits the carrier to pay the government $18 billion through 2042 to lease dedicated spectrum. Some renegotiated terms expire in 2033, when fifth-generation network upgrades are expected to be complete; others run through the contract's end. The deal comes as Congress considers reauthorizing the FirstNet Authority, which faces a February 2027 sunset, and amid inspector general criticism of the program's oversight.",
  "title": "AT&T agrees to $2 billion in FirstNet upgrades under renegotiated Commerce deal",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-01T00:31:10.528Z"
}