Urgent Communications - Commentary

NTIA should consider certain LTE projects as testbed opportunities

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:32:00 EDT

Assuming that standardized LTE is used in accordance with interoperability guidelines, real-world deployments can can provide valuable information that can be leveraged by FirstNet as it designs this much-anticipated network.

Utilities need to act during this window of opportunity

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:10:00 EDT

The spectral message here at the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) annual conference to attendees is clear: utilities should pursue partnerships that will let them access the nationwide public-safety LTE network being built in the 700MHz band to support smart-grid broadband applications.

Remember to feed the elephants

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:37:00 EDT

Earlier this year I attended NIST’s 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband Demonstration Stakeholders Meeting, where very smart people presented their visions for the national LTE/4G network. However there seemed to be a few elephants in the room that largely were ignored

Creating global market critical to public-safety broadband success

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:02:00 EDT

Today’s APCO/TCCA announcement does not guarantee that all continents eventually will migrate their next-generation public-safety radio systems to LTE, but it is a step in the right direction.

Public safety anxiously awaits 700 MHz broadband direction

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:54:00 EDT

Some of those most instrumental in stating the case for public safety’s need for additional spectrum and funding have been left in a rather uncomfortable limbo while anxiously awaiting word from the nation’s capital about the next steps they should take.

For a good time, call Bill Schrier

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:57:00 EDT

I called Bill Schrier to discuss his departure from the government sector, where he has spent virtually his entire career.

Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:43:00 EDT

Some states have laws on the books to punish those who call 911 for events that aren’t truly emergencies. But, as Trey Fogerty noted, it’s not always easy or expedient to enforce these laws.

The long arm of broadband

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:02:00 EDT

The nationwide public safety broadband network eventually will allow paramedics in the field to teleconference with medical experts and will improve the ability of incident commanders to keep track of their firefighters.

McDowell casts doubts on incentive auctions

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:38:00 EDT

Robert McDowell said he believes the amount of spectrum that will be available through incentive auctions will not be nearly as much as the 120 MHz projected in the FCC’s National Broadband Plan.

Adding low-cost ADP encryption could be a pricy decision

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:25:00 EDT

A movement is afoot to add a proprietary encryption protocol called advanced digital privacy, or ADP, to Project 25 systems across the country. However, in so doing, users are at risk of losing federal grant funds.