Commentary

Communications solutions must evolve quickly to meet needs of a changing world

The world has changed significantly in recent months, and there is no doubt we are living in unprecedented times. The ways in which we communicate have evolved rapidly, particularly for the first responders who have stepped up to fight the pandemic, wildfires, and more. There has been not just a flurry of new users, but […]

Commentary

How satellite communications create a critical connectivity link for first responders

During the 2019 California wildland fires, at least 874 cellphone towers were unavailable because of power outages or tech issues and damage from fire and wind. Up to 57% of cell sites in impacted areas were not working. The situation created what the director of the state’s Office of Emergency Services, described as a “worst-case […]

Partner content

As communities grapple with budget shortfalls, how will online and digital taxation change?

The financial strain of COVID-19 can be felt across nearly every industry, with state governments facing massive budget shortfalls as the economic shutdown puts a damper on taxes – their main revenue source. With stay-at-home orders and fewer consumers out spending money, many states have seen a significant drop-off in sales tax revenues. Couple the […]

Partner content

U.S. sets up new open RAN group amid telecom slugfest with China

Telecom probably didn’t need another open RAN association, but it seems to have gained one anyway. In a low-key announcement, the Open RAN Policy Coalition introduced itself to the world today as the latest group advocating a more open approach to the construction of radio access networks. “Open” meaning no Huawei, of course. For as […]

Commentary

COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented challenges for ECCs, 911 centers

We’re living in brave and unsettling times created by a global pandemic that has changed nearly all of our societal and operational norms in just a few weeks. No one and no business has gone untouched. What was unimaginable 30 days ago is all there is to read about today. What’s also getting a lot […]

Partner content

Coronavirus is a wake-up call. Are you listening?

The ancient philosopher Heraclitus once opined that the only constant in life is change. But there is another one that impacts every city and county organization and the officials who manage them—sooner or later a natural or man-made event is going to wreak havoc with your organization’s operations. In some cases those operations will come […]

Partner content

Verizon, AT&T withdraw from smart-city efforts

Verizon and AT&T no longer have high-profile executives dedicated to smart city operations. And both have largely folded their smart city efforts into other business units. Specifically, Verizon’s VP of Smart Communities, Mrinalini (Lani) Ingram, left the company in September, and Verizon’s smart city efforts have been moved under Maggie Hallbach, head of Verizon’s Public Sector […]

Commentary

3 tips for mitigating the ransomware threat to government offices

In 2019, more than 140 local governments, hospitals, and police stations fell victim to malicious ransomware attacks. Various cities across Louisiana, Texas, and Florida are among many that have appeared in the headlines. This particularly malicious type of cybercrime has become a global issue whose reach and impact continue to grow. Recent reports claim ransomware damages could […]

Partner content

In a new data decade, constituent experience reigns

Over the years, humans have predicted fantastical feats would be achieved by 2020, from robot servants to public space travel. Now that 2020 is here, some of the accomplishments are different—but still grand. In the decade ahead, transformational technologies that better meet constituent needs will define the missions of local government leaders. Advancements in 5G, […]

Commentary

Real-Time Situational Awareness: Today’s Holy Grail

So, I have heard this expression before, but what does it really mean? Holy Grail: something that you want very much but that is very hard to get or achieve. Well, that seems about right, as “real-time situational awareness” or a “common operating picture” are goals that are often bandied about in public-safety and emergency-management […]

Commentary

Commentary

Communications solutions must evolve quickly to meet needs of a changing world

Commentary

How satellite communications create a critical connectivity link for first responders

Partner content

As communities grapple with budget shortfalls, how will online and digital taxation change?

Partner content

U.S. sets up new open RAN group amid telecom slugfest with China

Commentary

COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented challenges for ECCs, 911 centers

Partner content

Coronavirus is a wake-up call. Are you listening?

Partner content

Verizon, AT&T withdraw from smart-city efforts

Commentary

3 tips for mitigating the ransomware threat to government offices

Partner content

In a new data decade, constituent experience reigns

Commentary

Real-Time Situational Awareness: Today’s Holy Grail

Commentary

Collaborative PS-IOT could supply missing pieces in public safety’s common operating picture

New technologies drive code advancements for in-building public-safety communications

Unfinished Business: Why NFPA and IBC fire codes need to kill the fire phone

Events

UC Ezines

IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

Twitter

White House Cybersecurity Summit: A missed opportunity dlvr.it/S7xl7q

ISPs suffer losses and make plans in face of climate crisis dlvr.it/S7xbrg

How to future proof your mission-critical backhaul? dlvr.it/S7xSGq

IoT cyberattacks escalate in 2021, according to Kaspersky dlvr.it/S7xQXm

Drawn-out congressional debt-ceiling debate could have negative implications for cities dlvr.it/S7qcCz

Mark43 partners with what3words, integrates unique location approach into CAD system dlvr.it/S7nNnd

Klobuchar, Cortez-Masto co-sponsor NG911 funding bill in the Senate dlvr.it/S7mL5v

Join our open discussion on how 9-1-1 response times are getting faster thanks to a collaborative and interconnecte… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…