News AT&T official updates satellite-direct-to-device progress, challenges 4th September 2024 Satellite-direct-to-device technology can work and potentially will be “revolutionary” for public-safety communications, but several questions still need to be answered through testing that will be conducted next year and into the future, according to a member of AT&T’s FirstNet team. Mohammad Baig, AT&T’s lead market development manager for FirstNet, said the satellite-direct-to-device technology could solve […]
Partner content Qualcomm acquires 4G IoT technology to boost its industrial IoT 2nd September 2024 Qualcomm has acquired 4G IoT technologies from Sequans Communications to enhance its portfolio of low-power products for optimized cellular connectivity while strengthening its products for industrial IoT enterprise customers. Sequans is a supplier of 4G and 5G semiconductor products for the Internet of Things. Qualcomm said the acquisition strengthens its industrial IoT portfolio by providing energy-efficient solutions for […]
Partner content Verizon and Skylo connect on direct-to-device messaging deal 30th August 2024 Verizon has inked a deal with Skylo that paves the way for some Verizon mobile customers to tap into Skylo’s satellite platform to gain access to emergency messaging and location sharing in areas not reached by the terrestrial cellular network. Verizon already has a direct-to-device (D2D) partnership with AST SpaceMobile. Access to satellite services via Verizon and […]
Partner content Globalstar gets FCC greenlight for satellite upgrades and expansion 28th August 2024 Globalstar’s stock rose $0.08 (6.4%) to $1.33 on Monday after the company announced that the FCC granted a 15-year license extension to its HIBLEO-4 satellite constellation. The FCC said it would allow Globalstar to operate up to 26 replacement satellites or “non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) space stations in low-Earth orbit (LEO),” if you’re really into […]
News AT&T names Scott Agnew to head FirstNet team; Jim Bugel set to retire next week 27th August 2024 AT&T today announced industry veteran Scott Agnew as the new president of its FirstNet unit, succeeding Jim Bugel, who will retire after serving more than three decades for the telecom carrier. “As America’s Public Safety Network, FirstNet is leading the way for first responder communications,” Agnew said in a prepared statement. “I am proud to […]
News FirstNet Authority board approves $2 billion in coverage enhancements to key areas 22nd August 2024 FirstNet Authority board members yesterday voted unanimously to approve plans to enhance the wireless coverage provided by FirstNet with an investment of about $2 billion during the next decade to bolster the system’s terrestrial footprint, with a focus on tribal, terrestrial and rural locations. “With the board’s actions today, the Authority will continue during our […]
Audio Martin County School District: Frank Frangella cites ADRF role in school-safety strategy 22nd August 2024 Frank Frangella, chief of safety and security for the Martin County (Fla.) School District, explains how the distributed antenna systems (DAS) from ADRF provide connectivity for public safety and school personnel throughout district campuses, so effective in-building communications can be supported during times of emergency. Already installed at two schools in the district, the […]
News AdventHealth Central Florida migrates voice to FirstNet Rapid Response, prepares to retire LMR system 21st August 2024 AdventHealth Central Florida has migrated its mission-critical voice communications to FirstNet Rapid Response at more than a dozen hospital campuses in a three-county area as the organization prepares to retire its legacy land-mobile-radio (LMR) system by the end of the year. Robert Francisco, security operations manager for AdventHealth Central Florida, said the decision for the […]
Partner content AT&T, Verizon challenge SpaceX, T-Mobile’s direct-to-cell service 19th August 2024 AT&T and Verizon have a bone to pick with SpaceX and T-Mobile’s direct-to-cellular service. Verizon and AT&T have expressed concern that the direct-to-cell service could negatively impact their own mobile broadband networks, reported The Verge. SpaceX plans to launch a direct-to-cell service with T-Mobile commercially in the US this fall, reported Light Reading’s Mike Dano in May. The […]
News ‘Rip and Replace’ funding bills introduced in House and Senate, without NG911 language 16th August 2024 Senate legislation designed to address the funding shortfall in an FCC program designed to rid U.S. carrier networks of China-made equipment recently received a companion bill in the House, but both proposals fail to mention any funding for next-generation 911 (NG911) deployments. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) introduced the House version of the bill (H.R. 9340), […]
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? 3 24th March 2024
Video Check out key takeaways from Disaster Management Symposium webinars, register to view archives Video: Opening of the Expo Hall on day three of IWCE 2023 Lynk CEO Charles Miller: The sky’s the limit