Commentary Communications solutions must evolve quickly to meet needs of a changing world 31st October 2020 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 8th July 2020 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 […]
Commentary FirstNet Authority standards director recaps June 3GPP Plenary Meetings in Newport Beach, Calif. 1st July 2019 The June quarterly Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) meetings in Newport Beach, Calif., addressed standards in several areas relevant to the evolution of the public-safety broadband communications and the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). The major topic across the 3GPP plenary meetings was planning for 3GPP Release 17 (R17). This release will be built […]
Commentary Why every PSAP needs to be vigilant about cybersecurity 2nd November 2018 Public-safety answering points (PSAPs) are now well aware of the real-life stories behind the industry’s new concern: cybersecurity. As a quick reminder, here are a few examples that reiterate this significant threat: March 2018—A ransomware attack compromises Baltimore’s Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), causing a shutdown of the digital dispatch and recording systems. December 2017—A California man […]
Commentary Trick or treat? Next few months could influence direction of critical-communications world 31st October 2018 It’s Halloween, a time that celebrates the unusual and surprising. Even when you can anticipate that something is going to happen, it can be difficult to predict whether it will scare you to death or result in sweet rewards that can put a smile on your face. A similar sense of anxious expectation is surrounding […]
Commentary Virginia’s COMLINC: An example of a successful transition to a viable funding source 14th September 2018 By Tom Gagnon Following September 11, 2001, states and localities received unprecedented federal grant funding, which resulted in major acquisitions of public safety communications equipment. While greatly enhancing public safety entities’ (PSE) effectiveness, these acquisitions were often made without establishing long-term sustainment plans. Sustainment funding became an afterthought, as states and localities hurried to secure use-or-lose […]
Kudos to the FCC for adding engineering muscle 20th October 2011 Should everything fall into place for public safety, it will launch one of the most exciting eras in the history of public-safety communications. It also will be one of the most stressful and challenging eras. The FCC is going to need all of the engineering muscle it can get.
University researchers focus on another kind of interoperability 23rd March 2011 Researchers at the University of New Hampshire are working to ensure interoperability of the components that go into a variety of communications devices. The goal not only is to make such devices perform better, but also to reduce the price that end users pay for them.
Why aren’t more people talking about multiband radios? 22nd March 2011 Where are we when it comes to deploying high-tech communications technology that is needed to address the multi-faceted response of monumental disasters? I immediately thought of multiband radios.
Bay Area broadband resolution needed ASAP 14th September 2010 Clear governance structure and processes are vital components to any successful interoperability initiative.
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Get ready for part 2 of "Ensuring Public Safety Emergency Communications" next week! @PCTEL_inc will explore… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 3rd November 2020
Over the past few months, we’ve seen the world transform, and it's clear that cities will be affected in the long-t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 27th October 2020
Florida state & local agencies subscribing to the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) will be able to co… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 26th October 2020
Tune in to @slacorp CEO Josh Lober as he explains how the company has fully integrated its #PTT application to work… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 26th October 2020
.@SierraWireless announced the commercial availability of the AirLink MG90 platform, which they tout as the first m… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 26th October 2020
Attorneys for #Hytera and #MotorolaSolutions this week submitted final written arguments, apparently clearing a pat… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 22nd October 2020