https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • Commentary
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • All Things IWCE
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • IWCE
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Premier Partners
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookie Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • TU-Auto
  • In the field
    • Back
    • In the field
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Internet of Things
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Call Center/Command
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Network Tech
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Operations
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Regulations
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • Organizations
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
Urgent Communications
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Omdia Crit Comms Circle Podcast
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
    • Sponsored content
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • Why Attend
    • Exhibitor Listing
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Join the Event Mailing List
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • TU-Auto
  • newsletter
  • In the field
    • Back
    • Internet of Things
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Cybersecurity
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
acc.com

Commentary Print


IWCE reflects a changing industry

IWCE reflects a changing industry

If memory serves, I believe this will be my 20th International Wireless Communications Expo. In that time, profound changes have occurred in the land
  • Written by Urgent Communications Administrator
  • 1st April 2005

If memory serves, I believe this will be my 20th International Wireless Communications Expo. In that time, profound changes have occurred in the land mobile radio industry.

Twenty years ago, this industry was a sleepy little industry, quietly serving hundreds of thousands of users far under the radar screen of significant regulation. There wasn’t a huge amount of money in the business, but folks were generally happy, with disputes usually confined to the frequency coordination docket and fighting with carriers over the ability to have systems interconnected.

Manufacturers were perfecting digital trunking, and every year brought some incremental advance in the state of the art. However, there weren’t necessarily huge “next big thing” advances being demonstrated.

Twenty years ago, we were in the midst of licensing the “middle” 800 MHz frequencies by pools. The primary battleground was the frequency coordination docket. We were just beginning a proceeding to narrowband the 150 MHz and 450 MHz airwaves. No one had heard of “Fleet Call,” and some guy named Robert Foosaner was the chief of some part of the FCC known as the Private Radio Bureau.

Fast forward to today. We have an industry dramatically reduced in size because of Nextel’s purchase of a significant amount of formerly private spectrum. Whoever thought those kind of mega-dollars would ever come into this industry? The traditional “base and two” customer has for the most part gone to cellular services. And there are auctions for new spectrum.

However, while there is much to lament about what has changed, there is much to be excited about. Moving Nextel out of spectrum below 862 MHz will give public-safety agencies first crack at an average of 4.5 MHz of 800 MHz spectrum (that’s 90 channel pairs). With newly found homeland security funding, agencies will be aggressively deploying in this band, as well as 700 MHz and 4.9 GHz. These same agencies are outsourcing more and more of the communications services to radio dealers, which have the technical expertise to construct and maintain networks.

Innovative technologies abound, from mesh networks to Wi-Fi to voice over IP for backhaul. Public-safety agencies, determined to provide better indoor coverage and resist interference from cellular networks, are building indoor solutions to ensure coverage. The 800 MHz rebanding process will ensure that every radio dealer nationwide has plenty of work to do for the next three years. And narrowband technologies are now starting to take hold, freeing additional un-auctioned spectrum.

Thus, while some are discouraged about the state of the industry, I’m bullish on your business. Yes, it has changed. But those who are able to change with the industry are finding new opportunities, new means of serving their customers’ communications needs and new revenue areas.

I think that the program at IWCE this year reflects that attitude. From the Rebanding Zone, to the Hot Spot, to the innovative seminar sessions, this year’s IWCE shows a changing and expanding industry — one that is more vibrant than in the recent past. With wireless increasingly replacing wireline communications, you are in the midst of a revolution. Choose to be a part of it.


Alan Tilles is counsel to numerous entities in the private radio, Internet and entertainment industries. He is a partner in the law firm of Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker and can be reached at [email protected].

on the web:

For continuing coverage of the 800 MHz rebanding process, visit our Web site:
WWW.MRTMAG.COM

Tags: Commentary Print content Policy

Most Recent


  • Researchers uncover RaaS affiliate distributing multiple ransomware strains
    A new threat group is leveraging a relatively large network of malicious servers to distribute and manage multiple ransomware families including prolific ones such as ALPHV, Quantum, and Nokoyawa. The group has been active since at least June 2022 and appears to have links to the operators of Cl0p, Play, Royal, and Cactus ransomware families […]
  • FCC Chair starts process to restore Title II authority over ISPs
    FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the agency will begin a proceeding to restore the FCC’s authority under Title II of the Communications Act, reestablishing oversight over broadband companies and enacting nationwide net neutrality rules. In a speech at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Rosenworcel announced her plan to hold a vote on a notice […]
  • Sean McDevitt appointed to FirstNet Authority board
    U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo today announced the appointment of commercial communications veteran Sean McDevitt as the latest board member for the FirstNet Authority, which oversees the development of the FirstNet nationwide public-safety broadband network. “It is with great pleasure that I announce the selection of Mr. Sean McDevitt to serve on the FirstNet […]
  • FAA approves Zipline drones for long-distance deliveries
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved another company to fly delivery drones longer distances without visual observers.  Zipline International received FAA approval to deliver commercial packages in Salt Lake City, Utah and Bentonville, Arkansas beyond visual line of sight.  Zipline’s Sparrow drone will release the packages using a parachute. Known as Zips, the drones […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

To leave a comment login with your Urgent Comms account:

Log in with your Urgent Comms account

Or alternatively provide your name, email address below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • New Orleans-area 911 center inks multiyear APEX deal with Carbyne to replace call-handling system
  • IWCE reflects a changing industry
    Newscan: Feds recover millions from pipeline ransom hackers, hint at U.S. Internet tactic
  • Cyber is the new Cold War, and AI is the arms race
  • Private wireless networks in the US start going public

Commentary


Better technology can help solve the public-safety staffing crisis

26th June 2023

Updated: How ‘sidelink’ peer-to-peer communications can enhance public-safety operations

  • 1
27th February 2023

NG911 needed to secure our communities and nation

24th February 2023
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


Newsletter

Sign up for UrgentComm’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about Communications and Technology.

Expert Commentary

Learn from experts about the latest technology in automation, machine-learning, big data and cybersecurity.

Business Media

Find the latest videos and media from the market leaders.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital and print audiences? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • American City & County
  • IWCE
  • Light Reading
  • IOT World Today
  • Mission Critical Technologies
  • TU-Auto

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Careers

FOLLOW Urgent Comms ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.