Collections

Commentary

FirstNet’s Sue Swenson expresses confidence in AT&T’s ability to make network vision a reality

When ATT won the nationwide FirstNet contract, some expressed concern that the telecommunications giant could be so focused on its massive commercial business that the public-safety initiative would be overshadowed. FirstNet Chairwoman Sue Swenson says early indications make her confident that the carrier has the proper public-safety-centric focus to build the public-safety broadband network.

News

Redl discusses FirstNet, spectrum sharing during nomination hearing for NTIA post

David Redl, President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), pledged during his nomination hearing to maximize use of federal-government spectrum and help ensure a successful FirstNet deployment, if he is confirmed to serve in the post.

News

FirstNet, AT&T drop ‘draft state plan’ term, announce process for early ‘opt-in’ decisions

Governors will have an opportunity to accept the FirstNet state plan for deploying a public-safety broadband network within the borders as soon as this month, a FirstNet official announces at the organization’s meeting of state points of contact (SPOCs) in the Dallas area.

News

FCC proposes FirstNet opt-out review process for consideration at June 22 meeting

States and territories pursuing the “opt-out” alternative would need to complete an FCC review process that the agency hopes to complete in 90 days, following a 60-day period that is designed to give states and territories time to prepare alternative plans, according to the FCC proposal that is scheduled for consideration at the June 22 commission meeting.

Commentary

The State of 911: Planning for the future with nationwide data

How local, regional and state 911 leaders use nationwide data to improve emergency communications for the public.

News

FirstNet draft state plans expected to be delivered around June 19, AT&T exec says

FirstNet plans to deliver draft state plans depicting the public-safety LTE deployment plans for each U.S. state and territory as part of contractor AT&T’s nationwide Band 14 700 MHz buildout on June 19, “give or take a day,” an AT&T executive says during a conference.

News

New CEO Jeff Robertson optimistic about Airbus DS Communications’ role in next-gen 911

Next-generation 911 (NG911) promises to provide significant benefits to citizens and first-responder agencies, so public-safety answering points (PSAPs) should not wait for federal funding to become available to transition to the new all-IP platform, according to Jeff Robertson, the new president and CEO of Airbus DS Communications.

News

Massachusetts seeks bidders for potential public-safety RAN alternative to nationwide FirstNet system

Massachusetts issues a request for response (RFR) that seeks input from vendors willing to build and maintain a statewide public-safety LTE radio access network (RAN), making it the seventh state to initiate a procurement designed to provide an “opt-out” alternative to the nationwide FirstNet deployment.

News

AT&T CEO expects accelerated FirstNet buildout, promises hardening, ‘ruthless preemption’ for public safety

AT&T expects to deploy the Band 14 FirstNet public-safety LTE network “much quicker” than the five-year schedule included in the request for proposals (RFP), and first-responder subscribers will have “ruthless preemption” access rights on the system, according to AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson.

Commentary

Global cyberattack provides a stark reminder of potential vulnerabilities, need for secure systems

News of the global WannaCry ransomware attack underscores the challenges of security measures for all sectors, especially for public safety and other critical-infrastructure entities.

Commentary

FirstNet’s Sue Swenson expresses confidence in AT&T’s ability to make network vision a reality

News

Redl discusses FirstNet, spectrum sharing during nomination hearing for NTIA post

News

FirstNet, AT&T drop ‘draft state plan’ term, announce process for early ‘opt-in’ decisions

News

FCC proposes FirstNet opt-out review process for consideration at June 22 meeting

Commentary

The State of 911: Planning for the future with nationwide data

News

FirstNet draft state plans expected to be delivered around June 19, AT&T exec says

News

New CEO Jeff Robertson optimistic about Airbus DS Communications’ role in next-gen 911

News

Massachusetts seeks bidders for potential public-safety RAN alternative to nationwide FirstNet system

News

AT&T CEO expects accelerated FirstNet buildout, promises hardening, ‘ruthless preemption’ for public safety

Commentary

Global cyberattack provides a stark reminder of potential vulnerabilities, need for secure systems

Commentary

September 3GPP Plenary: 6G officially begins, Release 19 on track

Latest 3GPP standards-development work includes new classes of HPUE, progress on mission-critical services

Is LMR the best solution for first responders? Should 4.9 GHz license go to the FirstNet Authority?

Video

Check out key takeaways from Disaster Management Symposium webinars, register to view archives

Video: Opening of the Expo Hall on day three of IWCE 2023

Lynk CEO Charles Miller: The sky’s the limit

Events

UC Ezines

IWCE 2019 Wrap Up