IWCE 2016 showcases signs of real convergence, not just hype 

Both AT&T and Verizon have introduced priority services for critical communications—something both carriers once said they would never do, which is a key reason why Congress passed the legislation that created FirstNet. In addition, AT&T has announced plans to build ESINets, which are the IP-network foundation that public-safety answering points (PSAPs) need to migrated to NG911. AT&T also has announced plans to lease broadband spectrum to utilities to support smart-grid initiatives.

From the critical-communications side, the simple existence of FirstNet and NG911 are notable steps toward convergence, but there are other signs, as well. Increasingly, critical-communications budgets—and the networks they support—are being controlled by organizations’ CTOs and CIOs, not the head of the internal radio shop. Perhaps because of this, there a noticeable move toward outsourcing key network-management roles—a trend popularized in the IT arena—particularly as communications systems become more complex.

One thing that has not occurred yet has been an anticipated shift from critical-communications systems being funded with large upfront capital expenditures to being part of operational budgets that have recurring costs. But a step in that direction may have happened last week, as EF Johnson Technologies announced that it will let customers maintain software licenses in perpetuity, instead of forcing them to buy them again when purchasing new devices.

As far as this convergence has come, there’s still considerable room for improvement. Critical-communications users should benefit greatly from future in-building coverage solutions and location-based services being developed in the commercial sector. Similarly, efforts to make user-friendly cybersecurity, encryption and authentication solutions in the critical-communications arena that help prevent sensitive breaches likely will find their way into the consumer world in some form.

It’s going to be fun to watch as the evolution continues. Please make plans to attend IWCE 2017 to see what the next round of convergence looks like.