The fourth annual Verizon Frontline survey, conducted among nearly 1,700 public safety professionals, reveals that network reliability and resiliency remain a top priority for emergency responders. While this finding aligns with expectations, the survey also provides fresh insights into how emerging technologies, such as 5G and AI, are shaping the future of public safety communications.

According to the survey, 65% of first responders cited reliable and resilient networks as the most critical factor in their daily communications, up from 51% in the previous year. This priority far outweighed the second most important factor, interoperability with surrounding jurisdictions, which received 11% of the votes. Additionally, 30% of respondents highlighted 5G connectivity as a key contributor to network reliability, with 66% recognizing it as either a "top priority" or "important."

Concerns over unreliable networks were echoed by 64% of respondents, followed closely by worries about insufficient coverage (62%) and interoperability challenges (47%).

Although AI adoption is still in its early stages within public safety agencies—only 14% report current usage—there is growing interest in its potential. Seventy-five percent of respondents view AI and smart solutions as either important or a top priority for the future. Key AI use cases identified include optimizing resource allocation (24%), enhancing situational awareness (23%), and improving early warning systems (20%). Despite the enthusiasm, when asked which technology would be most important for the future of public safety, 39% of respondents chose 5G, while only 18% selected AI and smart solutions, which ranked behind deployable network assets (22%).

Other key findings from the report highlight a decline in confidence regarding preparedness for natural disasters and cyberattacks. This year, only 60% of respondents felt prepared for natural disasters, a decrease from 69% in the previous year. Additionally, 34% expressed feeling "somewhat unprepared" or "neutral" about cyberattack readiness, a notable rise from 25% just two years ago.

“Every day, for more than three decades, we’ve worked closely with first responders and public safety agencies to meet their mission-critical communications needs,” said Massimo Peselli, Chief Revenue Officer of Global Enterprise and Public Sector for Verizon Business.

The survey underscores the importance of reliable communication networks and the growing role of advanced technologies in supporting public safety efforts.