Commentary Collaborative PS-IOT could supply missing pieces in public safety’s common operating picture 3rd August 2021 The explosive growth of the LTE ecosystem results from standardized open interfaces that enable the interconnection of innovative devices and networks. Much as LTE has grown thanks to a virtuous cycle spawned by standardized interfaces, so will future advances in public-safety command and control systems. At Fire Rescue International 2021 in Charlotte, innovators brought at […]
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.
Latest 3GPP standards-development work includes new classes of HPUE, progress on mission-critical services 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
