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
    • Product Guides
  • 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
    • Product Guides
  • 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

NTIA/FirstNet


News

AT&T issues statement regarding position in debate on public-safety-grade definition

AT&T issues statement regarding position in debate on public-safety-grade definition

AT&T will meet FirstNet’s requirements for its nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN), but the carrier is “hesistant to say that there is complete definition set in stone” about what constitutes a public-safety-grade system, according to a statement released by AT&T on Tuesday.
  • Written by Donny Jackson
  • 23rd August 2017

AT&T will meet FirstNet’s requirements for its nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN), but the carrier is “hesistant to say that there is complete definition set in stone” about what constitutes a public-safety-grade system, according to a statement released by AT&T on Tuesday.

“We fully recognize and acknowledge the great work public safety has done to build requirements around broadband for this community,” according to a prepared statement provided by an AT&T spokesperson to IWCE’s Urgent Communications. “It not only informed the RFP that FirstNet put forth, but it also informed the customized State Plans the states are now reviewing. So we want to be very clear here – the FirstNet network will meet the requirements set forth by FirstNet. 

“We recognize that FirstNet, NPSTC and other public-safety stakeholders and organizations like APCO will continue to work on and evolve requirements and standards. We’re hesitant to say that there is a complete definition set in stone. We look forward to working with FirstNet, NPSTC and public safety to continue to deliver services over a network designed for the unique needs of public safety.”

AT&T issued the statement to IWCE's Urgent Communications on Tuesday afternoon in response to the National Public-Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) last Friday criticizing multiple assertions that a definition of “public-safety-grade” systems does not exist. On Wednesday, AT&T clarified that the statement had been shared previously with other media outlets.

Chris Sambar, senior vice president of AT&T – FirstNet, most notably made the statement while testifying during a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing.

“Senator, I will tell you that I have not seen, and nor do I believe, there is a specific definition for ‘public-safety grade,’” Sambar said during the subcommittee hearing.

FirstNet CEO Mike Poth echoed Sambar’s statement during the hearing, but FirstNet CTO Jeff Bratcher acknowledged that Poth “misspoke” on the topic during the hearing as he addressed a question about network hardening and resiliency during a panel discussion last week at APCO 2017 in Denver.

“That is in the build plan and hardening, determining which sites need additional capabilities,” Bratcher said during the session. “AT&T has already hardened their network—believe it or not—based even just five years ago on what they’ve done on their buildouts and adding technologies to the network.

“That was a misstatement … That was not lost on anyone, and [network hardening] hasn’t lost any traction. It’s driving a lot of the discussion we’re having with the technical teams on deployables in certain parts of the country that need additional hardening above and beyond what happens on the existing wireless infrastructure today.”

In its statement, NPSTC noted that 16 public-safety-related associations on May 22, 2014, jointly published a 115-page definition of public-safety-grade systems and facilities for broadband. In March 2016, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) initiated a process to create a formal American National Standards Institue (ANSI) standard for the public-safety-grade definition.

“APCO anticipates the standard to be published [in] Spring 2018,” according to the NPSTC statement. “NPSTC is disappointed that FirstNet's commercial partner, AT&T, has on numerous occasions stated that it is not aware of a single agreed upon definition for public-safety grade.

“It is clearly apparent that numerous NPSTC-generated public-safety broadband requirements submitted to the PSAC have significantly influenced FirstNet's RFP for which AT&T's contract was awarded. Public-safety stakeholders have spent thousands of hours developing broadband requirements and expect a public-safety-grade system. Public safety and the protection of our nation deserve no less.

“NPSTC continues to work on additional public-safety broadband requirements as issues are identified. The public-safety community expects FirstNet to listen to its needs and requirements, and ensure its partner strives to build the best public-safety-grade network possible. NPSTC is counting on FirstNet to hold AT&T accountable.”

Although Bratcher noted that Poth “misspoke” about the lack of a public-safety-grade definition, he said that it “has to be pointed out” that the network architecture of an LTE system is very different from an LMR network, which can impact the manner in which resiliency is built into a communications system.

“There are a lot more [LTE] cell sites versus LMR sites,” Bratcher said. “It’s a different hardening and resiliency aspect. You don’t have to harden every cell site. If you lose a cell site, the other cell sites—with the technology now—can fill in those coverage holes when that site goes out.

“So, it’s a different architecture. We’re working through those aspects as we move forward.”

 

Tags: APCO Land Mobile Radio Long Term Evolution (LTE) News NTIA/FirstNet Public Safety Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet News

Most Recent


  • FAA approves beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flights in North Dakota
    The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) avionics company uAvionix received Federal Aviation Administration approval to conduct advanced beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) flights of small UAVs in North Dakota.  The flights will be conducted at the Northern Plains Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Test Site (NPUASTS) in Grand Forks, one of seven FAA-run UAV test sites in the U.S., using […]
  • AT&T boasts of core 'white box' success in 5G, fiber push
    AT&T said it has now migrated more than 52% of all of its production traffic onto next-generation “white box” core routers running on products from the likes of Broadcom and DriveNets. The company said its move to such “open” systems has helped its aggressive 5G and fiber expansions. “We announced the next-gen open disaggregated core routing […]
  • Spending American Rescue Plan Act funds: A primer for municipalities
    The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 is a $1.9 trillion legislative package that includes funding for states, local governments and tribal nations to respond to the economic and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. While initially restricted, subsequent guidance from the federal government has expanded what those funds can be used for. […]
  • AT&T wireless growth keyed by FirstNet—now provides 24,000 agencies with 4.4 million connections
    AT&T this week reported that FirstNet ended 2022 supporting more than 24,000 public-safety agencies with “about” 4.4 million connections, including 377,000 connections that were added during the last three months of 2022—a total that represents more than half of the carrier’s post-paid wireless growth for the quarter. AT&T officials released these figures in conjunction with […]

2 comments

  1. Avatar Dominic Tusa 23rd August 2017 @ 1:39 pm
    Reply

    “If you lose a cell site, the
    “If you lose a cell site, the other cell sites can fill in those coverage holes” This is a plausible when only a small localized area is affected, but in situations where wide areas are impacted…such as for hurricanes, ice storms or earthquakes…the AT&T argument is fictional. AT&T apparently doesn’t grasp the concept that what works for a commercial service is not what public safety requires and expects via FirstNet. Public safety radio systems must function in the worst of times for the security of an affected region and the efficient delivery of life-critical services. The general public demands this and AT&T clearly should have understood the need. There should be no question what public safety grade communications encompasses and clearly it is not a commercial cellular model. Public safety agencies expect far better from FirstNet/AT&T than what it can already secure through existing commercial cellular services. No radio or LTE system can function absent electricity and site backhaul connectivity. Far more attention needs to be placed on those key aspects of system hardening than merely the radio layer.

    • Avatar Bill Buffington 25th August 2017 @ 2:52 pm
      Reply

      I agree in with Mr. Tusa’s
      I agree in with Mr. Tusa’s comment. We in Mississippi have deployed and deconstructed a LTE Network as well as deployed a very robust State-wide LMR/TBN network. A “Mission Critical” network can be and should be “reliable, redundant, survivable, and state of the art communication system”. Just adding “Priority” to an existing commercial carrier network does not make the network ‘Public Safety grade” or “Mission Critical” and buys us nothing more than what we have today.

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

  • AT&T issues statement regarding position in debate on public-safety-grade definition
  • AT&T issues statement regarding position in debate on public-safety-grade definition
  • AT&T issues statement regarding position in debate on public-safety-grade definition
  • AT&T issues statement regarding position in debate on public-safety-grade definition

Commentary


How 5G is making cities safer, smarter, and more efficient

26th January 2023

3GPP moves Release 18 freeze date to March 2024

18th January 2023

Do smart cities make safer cities?

  • 1
6th January 2023
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


UrgentComm

FAA approves beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flights in North Dakota dlvr.it/ShgxHW

30th January 2023
UrgentComm

AT&T boasts of core ‘white box’ success in 5G, fiber push dlvr.it/Shgb4w

30th January 2023
UrgentComm

Spending American Rescue Plan Act funds: A primer for municipalities dlvr.it/ShgZ52

30th January 2023
UrgentComm

AT&T wireless growth keyed by FirstNet—now provides 24,000 agencies with 4.4 million connections dlvr.it/ShY5qH

27th January 2023
UrgentComm

Report: Remote work causing offices to empty, but walkable cities still in high demand dlvr.it/ShXM7Z

27th January 2023
UrgentComm

AT&T FirstNet unleashes robotic dogs for emergency services dlvr.it/ShW7p8

27th January 2023
UrgentComm

Federal agencies infested by cyberattackers via legit remote-management systems dlvr.it/ShVhn3

26th January 2023
UrgentComm

How 5G is making cities safer, smarter, and more efficient dlvr.it/ShVS1h

26th January 2023

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.