A mobile phone network created to provide public safety agencies around the United States with reliable emergency communications, is poised for service upgrades after reaching an agreement with the federal government and the network’s private-sector partner AT&T.

Under the deal, AT&T, which built and maintains the network known as FirstNet, will cover the cost of $1 billion worth of the network’s improvements. At the same time, AT&T will reduce its bill to the federal government by another $1 billion for its continued support to FirstNet. The government selected AT&T to build the network in 2017, when the service was first known as the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. Its creation was driven by the breakdown in emergency communication for public safety agencies and first responders in the aftermath of the terror attacks of September 11th, 2001.