Coast Guard picks AT&T as primary telecom provider

The Coast Guard has chosen AT&T to consolidate several data communications networks into a single platform that will also see the agency grow its usage of FirstNet public safety network.

AT&T essentially becomes the Coast Guard’s principal telecommunications provider under the potential 11-year, $161 million task order.

The Defense Information Services Agency awarded the order on the Coast Guard’s behalf via the governmentwide Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions telecom vehicle, AT&T said Tuesday.

Coast Guard officials sought an Internet Protocol-based data network to enhance its own access to the Department of Defense Information Network, voice communications, the Internet, certain intranet environments and other extranets when needed.

The FirstNet component of this order will see the Coast Guard expand how it uses that network for both routine and special operations, including onboard aircraft for flight planning and awareness purposes.

FirstNet is also a key component in four task orders awarded to AT&T earlier this year by the Homeland Security Department, the Cabinet department in which the Coast Guard resides.

The Coast Guard has used the FirstNet network for major events and incidents that include search and rescue cases, Fleet Week events, and large-scale events such as the Super Bowl that have the National Security Special Events designation.

This article first appeared on Washington Technology.