Short answer
SD-WAN (software-defined wide area networking) is an overlay that manages multiple network links across your sites, routing traffic based on application requirements, link performance and business policy. FirstNet SD-WAN is a centrally managed, policy-driven service that keeps business-critical applications predictable even when one link degrades or fails.
In detail
What FirstNet SD-WAN provides:
- Dynamic path selection and failover across multiple links
- Load balancing and application-aware traffic steering
- Quality of Service for business-critical applications
- Integrated security policy enforcement
- Centralised visibility and governance across all sites
SD-WAN controls how traffic uses your links; it does not make a poor last mile faster or remove contention. It therefore needs at least two links per site, and FirstNet's best practice is two diverse underlays, often one fibre and one wireless. FirstNet can supply those underlays itself (broadband, DIA, LTE/5G, microwave and LEO satellite), and hybrid designs let MPLS and internet links run side by side for a phased migration.
It suits retail and branch networks where uptime drives revenue, municipalities that need standardised behaviour across many sites, and cloud-heavy enterprises. FirstNet's Connectivity and Security teams validate each design together before rollout.
Source: FirstNet Connectivity service page →
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