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FCC commissioners share incentive-auction ideas at CTIA

Donny Jackson, May. 23, 2013

Acting Chair Clyburn believes auctions will be held next year; meanwhile, Rosenworcel wants four public hearings to dissect major aspects.

Must Reads

FCC releases more information on narrowbanding enforcement 1
Licensees may submit post-deadline waiver requests--but even if waivers are granted...
FirstNet chairman sets the bar very high 2
Ginn should be applauded for setting high standards, but are his parameters for...
FCC Chairman Genachowski announces resignation plans 6
Announcement comes two days after Commissioner Robert McDowell resigns from his post...
Congress needs to drop T-Band mandate 5
Based on NPSTC's recent report, Congress should remove the mandate that public-...

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May 23, 2013

Commentary

FirstNet’s task is complicated by public safety’s diversity

So-called "listening tour" is an important step toward addressing grievances--both real and perceived....More

May 21, 2013

Article

Urgent Communications

Rural Illinois counties light the path to NG-911

Efforts during the past 7 years to bring next-generation 911 service to southern Illinois was extolled as a blueprint for others to follow as they contemplate similar migrations during a recent webinar presented by the National 911 Program Office....More

May 21, 2013

News

Urgent Communications

LA County taps Harris for new P25 system 3

Legacy EDACS system will be replaced by a $20 million system--at no cost to the county--under terms of rebanding deal with Sprint Nextel....More

May 21, 2013

News

Urgent Communications

TCS' VoLTE service for 911 enters production with LTE carriers

Customizable platform enables LTE networks to provide call-routing and location information to PSAPs....More

May 16, 2013

Commentary

BayRICS bounces back

Hampered by a lack of transparency during its early days, the Bay Area Regional Interoperable Communications System (BayRICS) Authority has rebounded nicely and is on the verge of making its public-safety LTE project a reality. With the FirstNet board facing similar allegations in its formative time, FirstNet Chairman Sam Ginn may want to consider the advice of Barry Fraser, the BayRICS general manager who inherited a difficult situation....More

May 16, 2013

News

Urgent Communications

FirstNet grants extension for spectrum-lease accord with BTOP recipients

The 30-day extension was by mutual agreement of FirstNet and the seven BTOP grant recipients; agreements are needed for early public-safety LTE projects, on hold for more than a year, to proceed....More

May 14, 2013

News

Urgent Communications

FirstNet begins regional workshop tour this week

Events are part of "listening tour" designed to uncover what states, tribes and terrirories need from the much-anticipated nationwide broadband communications network for first responders....More

May 13, 2013

Article

Urgent Communications

FCC gets behind all-IP pilot projects, but only if carriers deploy NG-911

FCC public notice would allow telecom carriers to transition to all-IP networks in pilot areas, but the carriers also would have to agree to deploy next-generation 911 in those areas....More

May 9, 2013

News

Urgent Communications

FirstNet board establishes review committee in wake of Fitzgerald allegations 2

Chairman Sam Ginn vows to implement committee recommendations, find ways to improve the working relationships on the board....More

May 9, 2013

Commentary

How to avoid FCC penalties now that the narrowbanding deadline has passed 1

The narrowbanding deadline has passed, but affected licensees can still take actions to avoid potentially stiff penalties from the FCC....More

May 9, 2013

Article

Urgent Communications

Dowd: NPSBN must integrate with NG-911 systems 1

It is important that next-generation 911 systems and the proposed nationwide broadband network for public safety are integrated, according to FirstNet board member Charles Dowd....More

May 8, 2013

News

Urgent Communications

FirstNet board to consider new review committee today 2

If formed, the committee would address concerns raised by FirstNet board member Paul Fitzgerald about a proposed network plan, alleged conflicts of interest, and poor communication amongst board members....More

May 7, 2013

Commentary

The readers always write: FirstNet will not meet expectations 5

Four out of five respondents believe that the much-anticipated nationwide broadband network for first responders ultimately will fall short, with politics and economics cited nearly equally as the reason....More

May 6, 2013

News

Urgent Communications

FirstNet’s Johnson outlines legal issues surrounding PSAC 4

Inability of FirstNet to communicate with the Public Safety Advisory Committee stems from non-disclosure agreements signed by the former, and the makeup of the latter....More

May 2, 2013

News

Urgent Communications

Obama nominates Wheeler to be new FCC chairman 1

President Barack Obama yesterday announced telecom-industry veteran Tom Wheeler--the former leader of trade associations representing both the cable and commercial-wireless industries--as his nomination as the new chairman of the FCC....More

May 2, 2013

Article

Urgent Communications

California city incorporates hams in response program 2

By leveraging the expertise of amateur-radio operators and neighborhood-watch organizations, a California city has established a preparedness program that officials hope will improve response efforts in case of a natural disaster....More

Apr. 30, 2013

Commentary

How to avoid making a blind public-safety broadband decision 1

Each state Point of Contact (POC) will have myriad factors to consider when advising the governor whether the state should opt out of the FirstNet nationwide buildout plans....More

May 2, 2013

Commentary

Regarding 911 abuses, let’s swat the swatters 2

Laws penalizing those who abuse the 911 system by making non-emergency calls are needed to discourage such actions, which use valuable first-responder resources and potentially can endanger lives....More

Apr. 30, 2013

News

Urgent Communications

Carriers, PSAPs prepare for transition to VoLTE 1

It will take longer for PSAPs to make the transition, but once it occurs they will be able to leverage powerful capabilities not available today, particularly in the area of location....More

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Learn about instances under which TETRA makes the most sense in the U.S. and Canada, specifically for utilities, transportation entities and public safety (in Canada).

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