News FirstNet Authority board approves plans to enhance FirstNet core for 5G, expand deployable coverage capabilities 19th September 2019 FirstNet Authority board members yesterday voted unanimously to have the organization’s staff begin procurement processes to reinvest funding into making the FirstNet LTE core ready for 5G services and to expand the FirstNet deployable-network program. Both area identified for reinvestment were expected. FirstNet Authority Chairman Ed Horowitz previously identified deployable enhancements and preparing to make […]
News Anterix announces first-phase completion of 900 MHz LTE testing in Department of Energy labs 18th September 2019 Private LTE networks like the 900 MHz being proposed by Anterix can deliver vital communications reliably to support utilities’ future electric-grid distribution needs, based on the results of a phase-one testing project conducted with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Anterix—formerly known as pdvWireless—last week announced completion of the initial tests, […]
News Motorola Solutions announces plans to deploy MOTOTRBO Nitro commercially in 3.5 GHz CBRS band 13th September 2019 Motorola Solutions yesterday announced that the company will participate in the initial commercial deployment phase of 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) technology with its MOTOTRBO Nitro system that provides private LTE voice and data services. Jerry Gard, Motorola Solutions’ director of engineering for the professional commercial engineering group, said the FCC is expected […]
News FirstNet users will have access to 5G, but Band 14 will remain on 4G LTE for years, AT&T’s FirstNet lead says 11th September 2019 FirstNet users will have access to AT&T’s 5G services that are set to be available nationwide by the middle of next year, but the 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum will continue to leverage 4G LTE for years to protect public-safety device investments and key functionality, according to the leader of AT&T’s FirstNet team. Chris Sambar, […]
News FirstNet making an impact early in three communities, speakers say 28th August 2019 Public-safety users have been able to subscribe to FirstNet for only two years, but the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) is making a significant impact on the operations of several first-responder agencies, providing cost-effective data and deployable support immediately and a mission-critical voice option in the future. John Cueto, police chief for the Town of […]
Product EMS: Kevin McGinnis describes broadband effect on rural-patient treatment, impact of new ET3 model 28th August 2019 Kevin McGinnis, former FirstNet Authority board member, member of the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) and program manager for the National Association of State EMS Officials, explains how the development of broadband services like FirstNet and the Emergency Triage, Treat and Transport (ET3) payment model being piloted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid […]
Video Nokia: Fabricio Velez talks about benefits of IMS-based proposal for NG911 23rd August 2019 Fabricio Velez of Nokia outlines the advantages that public-safety answering points (PSAPs) can realize by implementing a next-generation 911 (NG911) system that leverages the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) infrastructure that is a common element of most modern broadband systems. Velez spoke with IWCE’s Urgent Communications Editor Donny Jackson during the APCO 2019 event in […]
News Verizon optimistic about position in the public-safety marketplace, company exec says 20th August 2019 Verizon’s public-safety and public-sector business continues to grow, despite increased competition in the marketplace for government users from providers like FirstNet, built by AT&T, according to a Verizon executive. Mike Maiorana, senior vice president for Verizon’s public-sector unit, expressed optimism about the outlook for Verizon’s public-safety business, both in terms of present-day contracts and a […]
News FirstNet Authority board approves FY 2020 budget with $145.1 million for reinvestment 16th August 2019 FirstNet Authority board members yesterday unanimously approved the organization’s $309.3 million budget for fiscal year 2020, which includes $145.1 million for reinvestment into the FirstNet system—a figure bolstered by a one-time transfer of $46 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Board members approved the budget just two days after FirstNet Authority Chairman […]
News Plans for FirstNet MCPTT unveiling ‘all on track,’ AT&T’s Sambar says 14th August 2019 BALTIMORE—AT&T testing of 3GPP-compliant mission-critical-push-to-talk (MCPTT) technology is “going really well” and the carrier plans to offer the service later this year from multiple providers that will be announced separately, according to an AT&T executive. Earlier this year, AT&T stated that FirstNet users will be able to subscribe to MCPTT services from multiple vendors that […]
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