News NTIA releases notice indicating review criteria of plans from states seeking to ‘opt out’ of FirstNet 19th July 2016 States wanting to “opt out” of FirstNet must submit a plan that is cost-effective, will be deployed in a timely manner, possibly bonded and interoperable with the nationwide system to get approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), according to a notice released today by the agency.
News ‘Bomb robot’ usage in Dallas underscores importance of mission-critical data, not just voice 12th July 2016 Mission-critical voice is a fundamental tool for public safety, but data often has been considered somewhat less vital to first-responder operations. But the use of remote-controlled “bomb robot” in Dallas to deliver lethal force to the suspected gunman should cause many to reconsider any perceptions about the need for mission-critical data connectivity during times of crisis.
News NetMotion Wireless releases Mobility 11, which can double data throughput 11th July 2016 NetMotion Wireless announces the release of Mobility 11, the latest version of the company’s mobile VPN solution that offers up to double the data throughput of its previous version and significantly enhances server scalability, according to a company official.
Commentary FirstNet must balance transparency, security goals during upcoming talks with state, public-safety officials 5th July 2016 FirstNet officials have promised considerable outreach to states and public safety as deployment plans for each state and territory are finalized and distributed. But balancing the desire for transparency and the need for security during these processes could prove challenging.
News UK entity completes investigation, clears Motorola Solutions’ deal for Airwave TETRA system 4th July 2016 Motorola Solutions’ purchase of Airwave Solutions and its massive TETRA network was cleared from investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the United Kingdom (UK), which launched the inquiry shortly after Motorola Solution paid more than $1 billion for Airwave.
News FirstNet announces new staff positions as organization prepares for post-award challenges 30th June 2016 FirstNet takes steps to begin the transition from a startup organization focused on the procurement process to build a nationwide public-safety broadband network to one that is prepared to deliver services to first-responder customers, including the establishment of two new units.
News Poth indicates that FirstNet will have final say whether to execute contractor award 30th June 2016 An evaluation team is in the process of selecting the best proposal to build the much-anticipated nationwide public-safety broadband network, but FirstNet ultimately will decide whether to execute a contract with the selected offeror team, FirstNet CEO Mike Poth said during today’s open board meeting.
Commentary If FirstNet is not the answer, does someone have a better alternative? 23rd June 2016 Some have asserted that Republicans would want to torpedo FirstNet if the party is successful in the November elections. Given the structure of FirstNet’s RFP, such a strategy would not make a lot of sense.
News Governors’ rep to Senate: States want more input into FirstNet plans, opt-out alternative is a ‘false choice’ for most 21st June 2016 State and territories want greater input into the FirstNet deployment plans for their jurisdictions, especially because the opt-out alternative is a “false choice” for most states, a representative from the National Governors Association (NGA) testified today during a hearing before a Senate subcommittee.
News South Korea, UK aim for completion of public-safety LTE deployments next year 14th June 2016 As FirstNet evaluates bids to build a nationwide public-safety broadband network in the United States, public-safety LTE deployments in South Korea and the United Kingdom (UK) are expected to be completed next year, according to speakers at the Public Safety Broadband Stakeholder Meeting conducted by Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR).
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