AT&T boosts FEMA communications

AT&T Government Solutions will supply telephony technology to the Federal Emergency Management Agency under three awards potentially worth a total of $50 million.

The five-year contracts call for the AT&T business unit to provide voice and data devices to FEMA’s nationwide workforce, which is responsible for coordinating the federal government’s role in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

AT&T Government Solutions will serve as the primary wireless provider to FEMA and deliver secure, reliable wireless data and voice communications to the agency, AT&T officials said.

FEMA’s workforce in the field will be able to use AT&T Mobility’s wireless network to run a wide assortment of e-mail, voice and data applications via mobile devices, smart phones and wireless laptop cards. FEMA can procure additional wireless applications from AT&T Government Solutions based on the needs of the agency, they said.

FEMA will receive a combination of AT&T Mobility’s LaptopConnect wireless cards and BlackBerry 8820 smart phones, as well as the 3G LG CU405 unit, which provides FEMA employees with “Push to Talk” capability and is a key feature for first responders.

LaptopConnect and the BlackBerry 8820 smart phone will also provide FEMA with wireless connectivity for laptop computers and BlackBerry smart phones.

A secure wireless communications infrastructure is critical for first responders and their emergency management operations, said Don Herring, senior vice president of AT&T Government Solutions.

AT&T Government Solutions provides voice and data services to the Homeland Security Department and several of its agencies, including Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration.

The FEMA contracts each have a one-year base with four one-year options.

AT&T Government Solutions is a unit of AT&T Inc., of San Antonio. The parent company ranks No. 38 on Washington Technology’s 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.