AT&T Inc Mobility announced on Monday it will provide FEMA workers with RIM BlackBerry mobile phones and laptop wireless devices as part of a $50 million solution contract. The smartphones will be powered by AT&T's nationwide EDGE network while its LaptopConnect will run on a similar Wi-Fi network.

The FEMA contract is good for one-year with an option which could be extended up to four years. "A secure wireless communications infrastructure is critical for first responders and their emergency management operations," said Don Herring, senior vice president, AT&T Government Solutions.

AT&T will become FEMA's primary wireless carrier to deliver secure wireless data and voice communications. FEMA workers will use the new mobile services to utilize e-mail, data applications, and Push To Talk voice communications while in the field. Workers will use the BlackBerry smartphones and wireless laptop cards to connect to AT&T's LaptopConnect service.

"With the proven reliability, bandwidth and speed of our network, AT&T Government Solutions can help FEMA employees access the information they need for real-time decision making in the field while ensuring they can collect, access and transmit this information in a secure environment at all times, regardless of location," Herring said.

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