Interoperability Commentary

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 […]

Commentary

FirstNet Authority standards director recaps June 3GPP Plenary Meetings in Newport Beach, Calif.

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

Clear governance structure and processes are vital components to any successful interoperability initiative.

Interoperability 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

Commentary

FirstNet Authority standards director recaps June 3GPP Plenary Meetings in Newport Beach, Calif.

Commentary

Why every PSAP needs to be vigilant about cybersecurity

Commentary

Trick or treat? Next few months could influence direction of critical-communications world

Commentary

Virginia’s COMLINC: An example of a successful transition to a viable funding source

Kudos to the FCC for adding engineering muscle

University researchers focus on another kind of interoperability

Why aren’t more people talking about multiband radios?

Bay Area broadband resolution needed ASAP

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

UC Ezines

IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

Twitter

AT&T adds secure messaging, drone-video steaming capabilities to FirstNet dlvr.it/S4bhhm

Akamai outage is latest warning about Internet dependency dlvr.it/S4bCv7

Verizon teams leverage broadband solutions to support wildfire responders’ communications dlvr.it/S4b9k5

Newscan: What will it take to defend drinking water from cyberattacks? dlvr.it/S4XrLd

Smart Technologies: Essential Technologies for Intelligent Transportation Systems dlvr.it/S4X3Wq

‘Turquoise hydrogen’ offers promise of lower-cost green fuel dlvr.it/S4SVq6

IoT search engines make it easy to find vulnerable devices, and that’s a problem dlvr.it/S4SVlS

Emergency Communications Districts across Tennessee Address Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities dlvr.it/S4S92W