News FirstNet preparing network policies for nationwide contractor, opt-out states 14th December 2016 FirstNet’s technical staff has established a draft set of network policies that will be followed throughout the United States, whether the radio access network (RAN) is deployed by FirstNet’s nationwide contractor or by opt-out states, FirstNet officials said today.
News Motorola Solutions acquires Cyfas Systems assets geared for European emergency call centers 9th December 2016 Motorola Solutions announces its purchase of the Mobile Assets Communications Systems (MACS) and related Integrated Communications Control System (ICCS) products from United Kingdom-based holding company Cyfas Systems that are expected to help European emergency-call centers transition to next-generation platforms.
News PSCR announces $30 million program for research initiatives in six areas, including mission-critical voice 8th December 2016 Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) announces a federal funding opportunity (FFO) that will provide a maximum of $30 million to fund research projects designed to accelerate innovation in six key technology areas, including mission-critical voice, public-safety analytics and resilient systems.
Commentary Why public safety should be excited by FirstNet’s prospects, despite potential delays 6th December 2016 Rivada Mercury is suing to protest its removal from consideration for the FirstNet procurement, noting the strengths of its proposal. Now that the evaluation team has deemed that Rivada Mercury’s proposal is not in the “competitive range,” it is intriguing to consider how good AT&T’s offer may be.
News AT&T states belief that its FirstNet bid is the only one within the ‘competitive range’ 5th December 2016 AT&T confirmed that its FirstNet bid is within the “competitive range”—the designation for the “most highly rated” proposals in a federal procurement—and that company officials believe it is lone proposal in this category, according to an AT&T regulatory filing submitted on Friday.
News AT&T is apparent selection to build FirstNet, as Rivada Mercury files protest over elimination from bid 2nd December 2016 Rivada Mercury is protesting its elimination from consideration to become FirstNet’s contractor to build and operate the much-anticipated nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN)—an action that points to AT&T as the selected bidder, although court documents indicate that the award likely will be delayed until at least March.
News FCC slowdown could leave 900 MHz proceeding in limbo until next year 2nd December 2016 It is unclear whether a request from Republicans that the FCC not tackle controversial subjects until the administration led by President-elect Donald Trump takes office will prevent the agency from taking action on the 900 MHz private broadband proposal, but it is a possibility, according to an official with the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA).
News Arizona changes RFP submission date to Dec. 29, waiting for FirstNet contractor announcement 22nd November 2016 The state of Arizona alters to Dec. 29 the deadline for vendors to submit bids to its request for proposals (RFP) to build and operate a public-safety LTE radio access network (RAN), if Arizona’s governor chooses to pursue the FirstNet opt-out alternative next year, according to a state official.
News Mexico awards Red Compartida wholesale broadband deal to Altan group; Rivada Networks disputes decision 17th November 2016 Mexico’s Secretariat of Communications and Transport awards its much-anticipated Red Compartida 20-year wholesale wireless broadband procurement to the Altan consortium that was the only remaining bidder after last week’s disqualification of Rivada Networks, which is contesting the ruling.
News California releases RFI for statewide public-safety LTE system 17th November 2016 California issues a request for information (RFI) in hopes of attracting proposals from bidders interested in building and operating a statewide public-safety LTE radio access network (RAN), if California decides to pursue the opt-out alternative to FirstNet’s nationwide deployment plan for the state.
Is LMR the best solution for first responders? Should 4.9 GHz license go to the FirstNet Authority? 2 24th March 2024
FirstNet Authority reauthorization needed as public-safety-driven network evolution proceeds 16th March 2024