Advisory board submits 700 MHz broadband interoperability report to FCC (with related video) 

By Donny Jackson (donald.jackson@penton.com)

A report released yesterday outlines the minimum technical requirements needed to enable interoperability throughout the proposed nationwide 700 MHz broadband network for first responders -- the first action item in the deployment of the much-anticipated project. ...

Wisconsin launches EFJohnson P25 statewide system (with related video) 

By Donny Jackson (donald.jackson@penton.com)

The state of Wisconsin yesterday conducted a ceremony celebrating the launch of its interoperable, statewide P25 system known as the Wisconsin Interoperable System for Communications (WISCOM) that features a network backbone from EFJohnson....

Interoperability software brings smart devices, LMR together in one platform (with related video) 

By James Careless

Covia Labs has released Alert & Respond, an interoperable software package that allows smartphones and tablets to run on existing public-safety networks. ...

San Francisco LTE vote set for next week 

By Donny Jackson (donald.jackson@penton.com)

Committee agreed unanimously to forward the final decision on the Motorola Solutions project to the board of supervisors without a recommendation....

An interoperability app is handy to have when Tony Blair comes to town 

By Glenn Bischoff (glenn.bischoff@penton.com)

Watch any crime drama on television these days and you’ll see detectives and special agents relying on smartphones and high-tech applications for their voice and data communications. But the reality is a bit different, says David Kahn, CEO of software developer Covia Labs. ...

Public safety supports single network-ID approach 

By Donny Jackson (donald.jackson@penton.com)

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), the Public Safety Alliance (PSA) and the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST) are among the public-safety organizations that recently expressed support for public-safety LTE networks to use a common PLMN-ID throughout the United States....

Raytheon introduces interoperability server system 

By Donny Jackson (donald.jackson@penton.com)

Raytheon recently unveiled a new server-based system that is designed to link LTE and P25 systems over the same network....

DHS undersecretary testifies on interoperability, security changes since 9/11 

By Mary Rose Roberts (maryrose.roberts@penton.com)

Acting Deputy Undersecretary Greg Schaffer this week testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs about a new DHS progress report, including the agency’s successes in standardization and emergency communications that supports expanded information-sharing and a focused approach to interoperability. ...

Madison FD delivers interagency communications during Wisconsin union protests 

By Mary Rose Roberts (maryrose.roberts@penton.com)

Madison Asst. Fire Chief Paul Bloom was responsible for ensuring fire-department communications were supported during the protests, in addition to working with the city’s IT department to program and charge a cache of radios in order to help Capitol Police and other law-enforcement communicate....

Raytheon commits to new UCLA public-safety communications center 

By Donny Jackson

Although the charter of the new UCLA center has not been determined completely, the entity is expected to help research and develop various technologies for public-safety communications....

ICS advocate pushes collaboration, preparation before a large-scale incident 

By Mary Rose Roberts

Public-safety leadership must cross jurisdictional lines and partner with statewide agencies to conduct incident-command communications exercises prior to a large-scale incident....

FCC to host broadband interoperability forum 

By Donny Jackson

Representatives of public safety, manufacturers and other interested parties are expected to participate in a broadband interoperability forum being conducted March 4 by the FCC's public safety and homeland security bureau....

FCC adopts NPRM calling for LTE interoperability at 700 MHz 

By Donny Jackson

Such action is needed to avoid the “balkanization” that historically has occurred between public-safety voice networks that have followed myriad standards paths, Commissioner Michael Copps said. ...

FCC to consider LTE interoperability order 

By Donny Jackson

FCC commissioners this month are expected to approve an order designed to establish a technical framework that is designed to ensure interoperability between all LTE networks using 700 MHz public-safety spectrum throughout the nation....

Harris P25 units to be used on Oregon statewide network 

By Mary Rose Roberts

The state will purchase Harris’ Project 25 ISSI-compliant mobile and portable radios for multiband capabilities within a single radio unit....