News Motorola Solutions announces first public-safety portable radio with LTE connectivity 19th March 2014 Motorola Solutions announces the APX 7000L, a multiband P25 portable radio with an LTE module that enables the transmission and reception of broadband data—the first product to include LTE connectivity in a public-safety-grade LMR handheld device.
Commentary About Face, About Time 18th March 2014 There are PLM users whose needs have grown beyond even digital narrowband. They need the features and functionality that only broadband can provide and they need it on terms that are not a good match for commercial broadband networks.
News NY police commissioner: NYPD-FirstNet a ‘match made in heaven’ 14th March 2014 New York City is an “ideal” location for FirstNet to locate an early deployment, based on the police department’s technological advances and the existence of supporting physical infrastructure, New York Police Commissioner William Bratton told FirstNet board members.
News FirstNet extends spectrum-lease negotiations with Texas for Harris County deployment 12th March 2014 FirstNet grants another extension in the spectrum-lease negotiations with the state of Texas, which is acting on behalf of Harris County—the location of the only operational public-safety LTE network in the nation.
News FirstNet board to consider program roadmap during tomorrow’s meeting 10th March 2014 FirstNet committees approve various portions of a proposed program roadmap for the organization deploying a nationwide public-safety broadband network, setting the stage for the full board to consider adoption of the plan during tomorrow’s meeting.
News Seybold: Many FirstNet contractors being selected by DOC/NTIA, not FirstNet management 7th March 2014 Officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) or the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)–not FirstNet’s management–are deciding which contractors should be hired by FirstNet, according to Andrew Seybold, a longtime public-safety wireless consultant and former FirstNet contractor.
News LA-RICS inks deal with Motorola Solutions for public-safety LTE network 6th March 2014 Board members for the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System Authority (LA-RICS) today approve a $175 million contract with Motorola Solutions to construct a public-safety LTE network that is scheduled to be completed next summer.
Commentary Carrier aggregation promises to open new possibilities to LTE network operators 6th March 2014 LTE-Advanced supports carrier aggregation, which effectively lets an operator combine the bandwidth from separate systems, even if they operate in different spectrum bands. The capability could alter spectrum strategies for a variety of operators.
Commentary Observers anxious for more tangible signs of FirstNet progress 4th March 2014 Two years after Congress passed legislation creating FirstNet, some of the challenges associated with the massive endeavor have become more clear, including extended timelines to hire the qualified staff needed for outreach, network design and business modeling. Will Congress be patient enough to let FirstNet continue on its current path?
News Wireless trade organizations seek to transform 900 MHz LMR spectrum to LTE use 3rd March 2014 Three key organizations—the American Petroleum Institute (API), the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) and the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC)—to transform some LMR airwaves in the 900 MHz industrial/business band into a block of contiguous spectrum that could be used for private broadband networks using LTE technology.
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