FirstNet is Not Ready for Rural Mohave County and the LMRFD

UPDATE April 2021

FirstNet Band 14 now in Dolan Springs 

I've been researching FirstNet the standalone network approved by Congress and built for first responders. I use an app called OpenSignal The app checks and logs cell service while you drive providing a map of service areas for various cellular companies.

It looks like larger population areas like Kingman, LHC and BHC have access to Band 14 that allows high power equipment with 6 times the power of your cell phone.

I was hoping the LMRFD could use FirstNet but it looks like AT&T is going to need to add Band 14 to Meadview before it would be useful for first responders. 

Please add OpenSignal to your phone and it will log where we have and don't have cellular service in our area. This will help our first responders know where they can expect cell service and where they know they have none. 

As you can see from the from the OpenSignal app screenshots below AT&T coverage is poor in Meadview while Verizon has good coverage.

AT&T FirstNet Meadview Coverage

Verizon Meadview Coverage 

We hope the FirstNet buildout will include rural areas like ours in the future, but for now first responders should depend on Verizon in our area.

Please load OpenSignal on your phone and let it run in the background as you drive. You will need to turn on data collection in settings for OpenSignal to gather coverage data. 

The more we use this app the better idea we have of local cell coverage from various service providers.