Partner content Challenges carmakers face with the ‘everything connected’ vehicle 18th August 2020 The increasing breadth of connectivity in vehicles can bring valuable features to automakers and consumers alike. Chief among these are the enabling of proactive and predictive performance and maintenance diagnostics. This same connectivity will also allow over-the-air (OTA) software updates, as well as real-time local and cloud-based status monitoring such as tire pressure, fuel level, […]
News Osterthaler named as new FirstNet Authority board chair 17th August 2020 Robert “Tip” Osterthaler will be the new chair for the FirstNet Authority board, which oversees the deployment and operation of FirstNet, the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) being built by AT&T, according to an announcement today by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Tip Osterthaler has been an instrumental FirstNet Board member who will bring […]
News Michigan, Indiana test Motorola Solutions’ cloud-based Critical Connect as LMR-LTE interoperability platform 17th August 2020 Results of initial testing in Michigan and Indiana indicate that Motorola Solutions’ Critical Connect cloud-based interoperability platform could be a “very powerful tool” that helps first responders share voice, data and video communications in the future, according to an official leading the Michigan statewide P25 system. Brad Stoddard, director of the Michigan Public Safety Communications […]
Partner content Starlink speed tests surface 16th August 2020 Although Starlink hasn’t revealed pricing and packaging for Elon Musk’s ambitious low-Earth orbit satellite broadband service, purported speed tests from a group of beta users posted to Reddit indicate that Starlink will be more than capable of delivering a true “broadband” experience, at least as it is defined by the FCC. The posted, “confirmed” Starlink speed tests […]
News Airgain targets launch of new HPUE antenna-modem platform for FirstNet by the end of year 11th August 2020 Antenna manufacturer Airgain expects that its AirgainConnect antenna-modem—designed to enhance wireless signals in many frequencies, including the 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum licensed to the FirstNet Authority—will be commercially available during the fourth quarter of this year, company officials indicated last week. AirgainConnect is an antenna-modem platform that delivers about 60% more power to a […]
Partner content Verizon keeps snapping up spectrum and small carriers 10th August 2020 Verizon’s thirst for spectrum appears unquenchable. After all, the operator is widely expected to dominate both the ongoing CBRS spectrum auction and the upcoming C-band spectrum auction. Further, Verizon has also been purchasing spectrum licenses around the country on the so-called “secondary market,” directly from the companies that own the licenses. In the past six months, Verizon has […]
Audio L3Harris: James Potter highlights benefits of company’s MCA partner program 10th August 2020 James Potter, senior manager of strategic partnerships at L3Harris, outlines progress within the company’s Mission Critical Alliance (MCA) program, which has expanded from 11 partners to 17 partners during its first year, including FirstNet, Built by AT&T. As part of the MCA’s first anniversary, L3Harris will conduct an online roundtable, during which partners will […]
News Are telcos and cloud providers destined to be frenemies? 7th August 2020 Telcos and cloud providers are both customers and competitors. The move to 5G commercialization and private networks could deepen all sides of these complicated relationships. As I was brushing up on what has transpired in the industry during my year away, I was struck by the number of announcements regarding alliances between Tier 1 CSPs […]
News New alliance calls for allocation of public-safety 4.9 GHz spectrum to FirstNet Authority 6th August 2020 Public safety should retain control of its 50 MHz of 4.9 GHz spectrum—airwaves that the FCC is considering for at least some commercial use—through an allocation to the FirstNet Authority, according to the newly formed Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA). “We’re concerned that public safety is going to lose spectrum that we might need,” Jeff […]
News Florida selects firm to plan statewide communications system, hopes for 2021 procurement 5th August 2020 State of Florida officials hope to begin the procurement process for an upgraded Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) by the middle of 2021, according to sources associated with the state’s Department of Management Services (DMS). Virginia-based consulting firm Federal Engineering has been selected to lead the planning for the upcoming SLERS procurement, which is […]
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
