Top 5 stories: Week of Jan. 12-16

Here’s a look at the most popular stories on IWCE’s Urgent Communications from last week:

1. “Vendor team outlines features of all-deployable public-safety LTE network for state of New Jersey” – Later this year, first responders in three regions of the Garden State will start using an LTE network operating on the spectrum licensed to FirstNet, and the system will consist entirely of deployables. Representatives from the companies behind JerseyNet—PMC Associates, Oceus Networks and Fujitsu Network Communications—recently talked to IWCE’s Urgent Communications about how it will work.

2. “Pacific DataVision officials address key technical concerns raised about 900 MHz LMR-to-broadband proposal” – As expected, Pacific DataVision’s proposal to transition 3 MHz of 900 MHz LMR spectrum to broadband use has sparked questions and concerns during the ongoing FCC proceeding on the matter. PDV Vice Chairman Morgan O’Brien and other company officials sat down with IWCE’s Urgent Communications to offer possible solutions for the issues raised.

3. “Dramatic changes in LTE landscape bust myths, provide FirstNet with new options” – Donny Jackson, editor of the IWCE’s Urgent Communications, writes about the changes that have shaped the commercial wireless industry over the past few years and why that evolution is good for FirstNet.

4. “Newscan: Obama wants Congress to increase prison sentences for hackers, expand hacking definition” – The Obama administration wants Congress to stiffen the punishment for hacking and broaden the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act that was originally passed in 1984. “We want cybercriminals to feel the full force of American justice, because they are doing as much damage—if not more, these days—as folks who are involved in more conventional crime,” President Barack Obama was quoted as saying in Ars Technica. An expert told the publication that the proposal is a “dangerous idea.” Click here for more must-know industry stories from other publications and sources.

5. “New OSHA rule requires tower operators, other employers to report a broader range of injuries” – If you’re an employer, here’s what you need to know about OSHA’s new rules on reporting work-related, in-patient hospitalizations. The new rule took effect Jan. 1.