News Locals should prepare for power outage of weeks, not days, caused by cyber or other grid threats 5th May 2016 A widespread, long-term outage caused by a cyberattack is “very unlikely,” but other threats are great enough that local governments should prepare for a potential outage of one or two weeks, according to one expert who recently testified before Congress on the subject.
Commentary What’s up with WhatsApp for emergency communications? 7th April 2016 When terror struck Brussels last month, one thing that quickly became evident was how much more needs to be done to ensure effective and efficient communications for first responders worldwide.
Commentary Yosemite National Park P25 installation shows simulcast BER test methodology can save time, money 3rd March 2016 Learn how Yosemite National Park leveraged bit-error-rate (BER) testing to ensure optimal site selection for its P25 network while saving time and money.
News New Hampshire gets five RFP bids for a public-safety LTE system, but no opt-out decision has been made 22nd February 2016 New Hampshire receives five bids in response to its request for proposal (RFP) to build a statewide public-safety LTE system, but a key state official reiterated that the process is designed to provide the governor with the “best information possible” and is not a certain precursor to opting out of FirstNet.
Commentary Latest attacks underscore need for cybersecurity in next-generation critical communications 18th February 2016 During the past week, more examples of hackers compromising high-profile networks have hit the news. These scenarios should serve as a reminder how important it is that critical-communications systems like FirstNet, next-generation 911 and smart grids have appropriate cybersecurity solutions in place.
News Mexico seeks bids for nationwide 700 MHz wholesale LTE network to serve competitive market, public safety 10th February 2016 Add Mexico to the list of countries that soon could leverage LTE technology to meet the communication needs of its public-safety entities, although first responders are just one of many groups to be served under the new Red Compartida tender for a wholesale LTE network operated on 90 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band.
News NTIA proposes rules to review, approve FirstNet fees each year 15th December 2015 Many key FirstNet fees will be reviewed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to determine whether the fees generate enough revenue to cover FirstNet’s expenses but are not excessive, according to an NTIA proposal that will be the subject of a public proceeding for the next month.
News Secret evaluation team will assess FirstNet RFP bids 14th December 2015 All FirstNet board members voted to approve the final request for proposal (RFP) for the multibillion-dollar nationwide public-safety broadband network, but the full board will not select the winning bid. Instead, FirstNet officials say that a team that could have representation from the board and other federal entities will spearhead an evaluation process that will result in a selection recommendation that will be executed formally by the contracting officer being used by FirstNet.
Freewave Technologies: Scott Allen discusses company’s M2M/IoT reach, new WaveContact portfolio 2nd September 2015 Scott Allen, chief marketing officer for FreeWave Technologies, highlights some of the company’s machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) successes in the military and petroleum markets. Allen also describes some of the features of new WaveConnect family of products, which are designed to be intrinsically safe.
News Cox, Horowitz named as new FirstNet board members 20th August 2015 U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announces that Neil Cox and Edward Horowitz will serve as new board members for FirstNet—replacing Tim Bryan and Frank Plastina—and that Kevin McGinnis and Annise Parker have been reappointed to the board.
Latest 3GPP standards-development work includes new classes of HPUE, progress on mission-critical services 1 22nd April 2024
Is LMR the best solution for first responders? Should 4.9 GHz license go to the FirstNet Authority? 2 24th March 2024