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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 […]

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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 […]

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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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

Vehicle routers serving as tip of the 5G spear for public safety

Super Bowl television advertisements remain a staple of the American zeitgeist. Not surprisingly, Super Bowl LIV brought viewers a tempting glimpse of what 5G promises in the way of improved first-responder operations. Verizon Wireless advertisements showcased the company’s commitment to first responders, and they also put a spotlight on its technology expertise. The gauzy peek […]

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How California public agencies can reform pension benefits

In 2011, after the Great Recession left California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) only 61 percent funded, the Little Hoover Commission gave a dire warning: “California’s pension plans are dangerously underfunded, the result of overly generous benefit promises, wishful thinking and an unwillingness to plan prudently. Unless aggressive reforms are implemented now, the problem will […]

Commentary

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

Vehicle routers serving as tip of the 5G spear for public safety

Partner content

How California public agencies can reform pension benefits

Commentary

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

Unlocking the power of ESInets: Different NG911 provisioning approaches exist; level of control is key differentiator

Ransomware? Let’s call it what it really is: extortionware

Events

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IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

Twitter

Unfinished Business: Why NFPA and IBC fire codes need to kill the fire phone dlvr.it/S1wQmW

Driverless-tech liability is all in the wording dlvr.it/S1vykc

Is an attacker living off your land? dlvr.it/S1tXVd

New ThroughTek IoT supply-chain vulnerability announced dlvr.it/S1tRWW

What “smart city” means for 2021: How digital twins, AI and other innovations drive smart transformation dlvr.it/S1tQTV

Newscan: Most firms face second ransomware attack after paying off first dlvr.it/S1rl17

Required MFA is not sufficient for strong security: Report dlvr.it/S1rVpR

U.S. telecom groups warn of network construction delays from chip shortages dlvr.it/S1rJV3