Top 5 stories: Week of Oct. 10-16

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

1. “Pennsylvania officials outlines state requirements for FirstNet regarding control, coverage and priority issues” – Pennsylvania officials want input and control in regards to priority and preemption on the FirstNet system within the state’s jurisdiction, according to Major Diane Stackhouse of the Pennsylvania State Police. Stackhouse shared that input during a recent IWCE’s Urgent Communications webinar. Coverage is a concern for state officials, since extensive outreach and data-collection initiatives revealed broadband coverage could be lacking in some of the state’s wooded areas. “We definitely want details, when we present it to our governor for an opt-in/opt-out scenario and the cost to build out in Pennsylvania,” she said. “The 90-day clock, if it doesn’t include cost, I don’t think our governor would be able to make an informed, educated decision on what he should do. So, we ask that cost [information] be included.”
2.  “Did you blink during the last few weeks? If so, here are some things you may have missed” – In IWCE’s Urgent Communications Editor Donny Jackson’s column Urgent Matters, he offers updates on major developments in the world of critical-communications. The column reveals key updates on next-generation 911, such as FCC’s Task Force on Optimal Public-Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Architecture (TFOPA) resource working group releasing its report on 911 funding. The topic of FirstNet’s stance on cybersecurity also is covered in Jackson’s column. “…The bigger issue is whether FirstNet can secure its network and whether it can do so in a way that integrates smoothly with 911 technology, because the two systems will be transmitting information to each other on a regular basis. If it can, FirstNet has a chance to make its vision a reality. If it cannot, FirstNet will not succeed,” Jackson writes.
3.  “Hytera: Andy Zhao sheds light on the company’s development of dual-mode LTE solutions” – In this video, Andy Zhao, president of Hytera America, shared some news about his company’s plans to develop a dual-mode LTE migration for utilities, aviation and universities during the Wireless Leadership Summit in Atlanta earlier this month.
4. “Acquisition, collaboration continue to be growing, necessary trends for wireless dealers ” – Competition from overseas and a growing number of aging wireless dealer owners has made the wireless industry difficult, but investing in technology and making long-term plans to sell or acquire other smaller shops can sustain wireless business owners in an ever-changing industry, a group of panelists during “Growing Your Business Through Acquisition” told an audience at the Wireless Leadership Summit in Atlanta. “I encourage everyone in the room, whether you’re ready to sell or not, to do this evaluation: Is the value of your business increasing with time or is it decreasing?”  Mike Fordinal, president of DFW Communications, asked the audience of his peers. “If it’s increasing, you may not have to do something right away. If it’s decreasing with time, the sooner the better.”
5. “FirstNet extends comment period on cybersecurity public notice to Oct. 21” – FirstNet recently that those with innovative ideas regarding cybersecurity would have and extra weekend and three business days to prepare their filings. Those wanting to respond to FirstNet’s public notice had until 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. Glenn Zimmerman, FirstNet’s senior security architect, had emphasized in Augusta that FirstNet is seeking responses that propose innovative solutions that are “going to essentially rock the cyber world.” FirstNet spokesman Ryan Oremland acknowledged that the organization received several requests for additional time to file submissions in the cybersecurity proceeding.