Augusta Systems says public safety largely untapped in M2M

Jul 1, 2009 5:08 PM, By Lynnette Luna

When folks talk about the machine-to-machine communications revolution, the context mostly revolves around connected machines such as cars, appliances and buildings. Public safety itself, aside from the boom in vehicle telematics, appears to be largely untapped....

TerreStar readies for launch of next-gen satellite

Jun 30, 2009 2:36 PM, By Donny Jackson

Satellite-communications provider TerreStar Networks is scheduled to launch a next-generation satellite tomorrow that is expected to bring satellite functionality to everyday devices, including consumer wireless handsets and — eventually — LMR radios used by public-safety personnel....

Genachowski sworn in as FCC head

Jun 29, 2009 5:36 PM, By Donny Jackson

New FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski was sworn in today, providing the agency with its first permanent chairman in five months and marking the end of Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein's tenure on the commission....

Reporter's Notebook: DHS announces $1.8 billion in grants

Jun 29, 2009 3:29 PM, By Mary Rose Roberts

DHS announces $1.8 billion in grants; Digi International unveils Smart Energy product suite for utilities; and more....

OnStar system alerts first responders about serious injuries

Jun 29, 2009 3:11 PM, By Mary Rose Roberts

OnStar has developed an Injury Severity Prediction system that will let OnStar advisors alert first responders when a vehicle crash is likely to have caused serious injury...

NENA, carriers seek commercial D Block auction

Jun 25, 2009 4:22 PM, By Donny Jackson

Wireless carriers and the National Emergency Number Association have called for a commercial auction of the 700 MHz D Block, less than a month after eight public-safety organizations asked Congress to reallocate the spectrum for first-responder uses....

Reporter's notebook: ANSI approves APCO/NENA standard for TERT deployment

Jun 25, 2009 3:20 PM, By Lisa Allegretti

ANSI approves APCO/NENA standard for TERT deployment; Illinois dispatch implements APCO EMD; Canadian FD deploys FDM dispatch system; and more....

Alliance strives for predictable WiMAX costs

Jun 24, 2009 2:54 PM, By Lynnette Luna

The Open Patent Alliance, a group formed last year to create an intellectual property rights framework for WiMAX technology, announced a call for patents with the intention of creating a pool of essential WiMAX patents. ...

Public-safety task force begins 700 MHz work

Jun 23, 2009 2:54 PM, By Donny Jackson

A public-safety task force met for the first time last week in an effort to establish requirements for 700 MHz broadband systems that can be used as national standards, potentially providing guidance to the FCC and to metropolitan areas or regions wanting to pursue their own network buildouts in the spectrum band. ...

Reporter's notebook: Darim Vision unveils wireless video encoder

Jun 23, 2009 2:37 PM, By Mary Rose Roberts

Darim Vision unveils wireless video encoder; Intergraph demonstrates CAD use for incident command project; and more....

Utility industry hopes Canada's smart grid moves bolster its argument for more spectrum

Jun 17, 2009 5:16 PM, By Lynnette Luna

The UTC is hoping recent moves by Industry Canada, Canada's equivalent to the FCC, in allocating a block of spectrum nationwide for the smart grid will influence the FCC in granting spectrum to...

Genachowski, McDowell complete confirmation hearings

Jun 17, 2009 4:40 PM, By Donny Jackson

FCC Chairman appointee Julius Genachowski and current commissioner Robert McDowell sailed through their confirmation hearings before the Senate Commerce Committee and reportedly could be confirmed quickly...

Reporter's Notebook: Integraph automates transmission of security alarm directly into CAD

Jun 17, 2009 11:03 AM, By Mary Rose Roberts

Integraph automates transmission of security alarm directly into CAD; BAE Systems lands $33.6 million from Navy; and more....

NYC files 700 MHz waiver request for broadband network

Jun 16, 2009 11:16 AM, By Donny Jackson

New York City asked the FCC for permission to construct a 700 MHz public-safety broadband network on spectrum currently held by the PSST while promising that the network would comply with national interoperability standards for...

Utilities to look into TETRA with Motorola's blessing

Jun 11, 2009 7:57 PM, By Lynnette Luna

TETRA could find a home in North America now that the Utilities Telecom Council is forming a working group to identify technical issues related to the use of the technology in the U.S. and...

Public-safety groups support LTE at 700 MHz

Jun 11, 2009 3:16 PM, By Donny Jackson

Three influential public-safety organizations have taken action to endorse LTE as the technological standard for the proposed 700 MHz national broadband network for first responders....

Reporter's notebook: Amcom updates Smart Console

Jun 11, 2009 11:46 AM, By Mary Rose Roberts

Amcom updates Smart Console; Polaris offers mass-intercept technology; Thornton, Colo., implements CompassCom resource manager; and Alabama county awards CallWorx NG E911 contract....

Iowa PSAP ready to receive text via 911

Jun 10, 2009 4:56 PM, By Donny Jackson

An Iowa call center announced that it has become the first in the country to successfully receive text messages sent directly to 911 and expects to offer the service beginning next month....

Globaltel makes text messages more useful for public safety

Jun 10, 2009 12:55 PM, By Lynnette Luna

Text messaging has evolved over the years to become a vital public-safety tool. Educational institutions, in particular, have instituted services that allow them to communicate with students, employees and parents during emergency situations....

Motorola lets user needs drive new radio design

Jun 10, 2009 12:01 PM, By Glenn Bischoff

Motorola plans to unveil a new mobile radio control head in August that is the second product developed under the company's mission-critical design program that is driven by principles of applied psychology....