In the field

Congressional subcommittee pushes for FirstNet timeline, more SWICs

• 20th November 2014

Members of Congress pressed FirstNet Acting General Manager TJ Kennedy for a projected timeframe regarding the state-consultation process during Tuesday’s U.S. House Homeland Security subcommittee hearing on the progress of interoperable communications since the tragic events of 9/11.

Gallery: Pictures from Antenna Evolution Focus Day and Signaling Focus Day pre-events to LTE North America in Dallas

• 18th November 2014

Pacific DataVision, EWA ask FCC to transform 900 MHz LMR spectrum to broadband use

• 18th November 2014

Pacific DataVision (PDV) and the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) ask the FCC for permission to pursue a realignment of 900 MHz LMR spectrum that would result in PDV having a contiguous 3×3 MHz swath to support wireless broadband services for enterprise dispatch.

Elgin leverages public, private video assets through Motorola Solutions’ real-time intelligence console

• 17th November 2014

The Chicago-area suburb of Elgin is using Motorola Solutions’ real-time intelligence console (RIC) technology to put public and private video surveillance on a single platform that integrates with the computer-aided dispatch mapping software in the 911 center, according to city police officials.

Public-safety groups split on carrier location-accuracy accord for indoor 911 calls from cell phones

• 17th November 2014

With FCC officials indicating that they would establish rules regarding location accuracy for indoor 911 calls from cell phones, the four nationwide wireless carriers announce a voluntary agreement with two key public-safety organizations on the topic, although other first-responder groups expressed objections to the deal.

Differences on ‘public-safety entity’ definition may be addressable by FirstNet

• 13th November 2014

In recent filings with FirstNet regarding the definition of a “public-safety entity” that would be eligible for priority-access consideration, commercial wireless carrier AT&T and utilities associations approach the matter very differently, but their final conclusions include a lot of similarities.

Webinar participants say wireless priority status essential for utilities

• 10th November 2014

Utility companies have an increasing array of options to consider when charting a path forward for their communications systems, but the prospect of utilizing priority wireless access—especially on spectrum licensed to FirstNet for the first nationwide broadband network for public safety—remains a challenge.

VIEVU: Steve Ward says adoption of body-worn cameras increasing after Ferguson events

• 8th November 2014

VIEVU CEO and co-founder Steve Ward discusses the rapid increase in public-safety agencies purchasing body-worn cameras since the tumultuous events began occurring this summer in Ferguson, Mo. Ward also highlights his company’s partnerships with industry giants like Motorola Solutions and Microsoft during this conversation with IWCE’s Urgent Communications Editor Donny Jackson.

Adams County equips first public-safety vehicle with Band 14 LTE

• 6th November 2014

As ADCOM911 in Adams County, Colo., nears the completed deployment of its public-safety LTE network using 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum leased from FirstNet, the county today announced that it has its first police car operating on the much-anticipated broadband communications system.

Public-safety groups disagree on ‘public-safety entity’ definition, including utility usage of FirstNet

• 6th November 2014

Two key public-safety communications organizations—the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and the National Public-Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC)—express opposing views on the subject of whether critical-infrastructure entities such as utilities should be considered public-safety entities that could be eligible for priority access to the 700 MHz broadband system being built by FirstNet.