Get ready to adapt, because a flood of critical-communications changes are coming

Spectrum policy: The utility industry may have been mentioned as a spectrum-sharing candidate, but it certainly is not alone. Based on what we’re seeing with FirstNet at 700 MHz, in the 3.5 GHz band and multiple proposals to provide access to federal-government spectrum, sharing airwaves promises to become the rule—rather than the exception—in the future. Meanwhile, everyone should closely monitor the progress of the FCC’s incentive auction and Mexico’s 700 MHz wholesale-broadband initiative, which could mark significant changes in spectrum allocation.

Internet of Things: From fixed sensors to remote-controlled drones/vehicles, there are a ton of devices out there—and many times more to be deployed—that can provide critical-communications entities with situational data that can improve efficiencies and decision-making in a crisis. Managing this flood of data promises to be a challenge, but it may pale in comparison to security issues—physical security, protecting IoT from jamming devices and the ever-present cybersecurity threats to infrastructure and data.

Individually, each of these initiatives represents a significant area for growth and change in the critical-communications industry. The fact that carriers have taken unprecedented interest in the space—even offering priority services on their consumer networks—makes things even more intriguing.

The idea that all of these potentially seismic shifts could be happening simultaneously—each impacting the others—is incredibly exciting or scary, depending on your point of view. 

One thing that seems certain is that the next several years promise to be interesting. As I’ve stated several times before in the space, I feel lucky that I get to cover this industry—and luckier still that I don’t have to make significant network decisions during such unpredictable times of technological volatility.