The Department of Homeland Security has awarded AT&T (NYSE: T) a 10-year, $146 million contract for government emergency telecommunications service and wireless priority service.
The award ensures that DHS components such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other government offices will always have access to mission-critical communications services, AT&T said Wednesday.
“AT&T has enjoyed a long-lasting relationship with DHS and CISA since the inception of these services and is dedicated to support the national security and emergency preparedness mission for the foreseeable future,” commented Jill Singer, vice president of federal solutions at AT&T, a GovCon Expert and a recipient of the 2024 Wash100 Award.
CISA manages the WPS, which is triggered when someone dials the *272 service code. Under the contract, AT&T will prioritize WPS calls over its commercial wireless network, promising call completion even during network congestion.
The WPS is used by public safety and emergency responders, critical infrastructure operators as well as federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments. Combined with GETS, the service works to provide enhanced voice call quality of service.
The Dallas, Texas-headquartered telecommunications services provider received the contract from the DHS in March. The recent award extends AT&T’s services into next-generation 5G networks.
Verizon also recently secured a 10-year contract valued at $176 million to support CISA’s Emergency Communications Division.
