Networks & Systems Commentary

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Coronavirus is a wake-up call. Are you listening?

The ancient philosopher Heraclitus once opined that the only constant in life is change. But there is another one that impacts every city and county organization and the officials who manage them—sooner or later a natural or man-made event is going to wreak havoc with your organization’s operations. In some cases those operations will come […]

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Verizon, AT&T withdraw from smart-city efforts

Verizon and AT&T no longer have high-profile executives dedicated to smart city operations. And both have largely folded their smart city efforts into other business units. Specifically, Verizon’s VP of Smart Communities, Mrinalini (Lani) Ingram, left the company in September, and Verizon’s smart city efforts have been moved under Maggie Hallbach, head of Verizon’s Public Sector […]

Commentary

3 tips for mitigating the ransomware threat to government offices

In 2019, more than 140 local governments, hospitals, and police stations fell victim to malicious ransomware attacks. Various cities across Louisiana, Texas, and Florida are among many that have appeared in the headlines. This particularly malicious type of cybercrime has become a global issue whose reach and impact continue to grow. Recent reports claim ransomware damages could […]

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In a new data decade, constituent experience reigns

Over the years, humans have predicted fantastical feats would be achieved by 2020, from robot servants to public space travel. Now that 2020 is here, some of the accomplishments are different—but still grand. In the decade ahead, transformational technologies that better meet constituent needs will define the missions of local government leaders. Advancements in 5G, […]

Commentary

Real-Time Situational Awareness: Today’s Holy Grail

So, I have heard this expression before, but what does it really mean? Holy Grail: something that you want very much but that is very hard to get or achieve. Well, that seems about right, as “real-time situational awareness” or a “common operating picture” are goals that are often bandied about in public-safety and emergency-management […]

Commentary

Vehicle routers serving as tip of the 5G spear for public safety

Super Bowl television advertisements remain a staple of the American zeitgeist. Not surprisingly, Super Bowl LIV brought viewers a tempting glimpse of what 5G promises in the way of improved first-responder operations. Verizon Wireless advertisements showcased the company’s commitment to first responders, and they also put a spotlight on its technology expertise. The gauzy peek […]

Commentary

FirstNet Authority standards director recaps June 3GPP Plenary Meetings in Newport Beach, Calif.

The June quarterly Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) meetings in Newport Beach, Calif., addressed standards in several areas relevant to the evolution of the public-safety broadband communications and the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). The major topic across the 3GPP plenary meetings was planning for 3GPP Release 17 (R17). This release will be built […]

Commentary

How 3D location can increase situational awareness and improve operational efficiency

Public-safety responders put their lives on the line every day to protect citizens from threats of all kinds. For most of us, this dedication and effort is taken for granted, as it goes largely unseen. This is because police and fire departments—and other first-responder agencies—are committed to being responsive in emergency situations while ensuring that […]

Commentary

Trick or treat? Next few months could influence direction of critical-communications world

It’s Halloween, a time that celebrates the unusual and surprising. Even when you can anticipate that something is going to happen, it can be difficult to predict whether it will scare you to death or result in sweet rewards that can put a smile on your face. A similar sense of anxious expectation is surrounding […]

Public safety in limbo while feds try to execute new law

It’s been six weeks since President Barack Obama signed into law the legislation reallocating the D Block to public safety while providing $7 billion to fund the buildout of a nationwide broadband network for first responders. While public safety remains clearly excited about the prospect, the initial euphoria definitely has died down as officials are asking, “How is all of this going to be executed?”

Networks & Systems Commentary

Partner content

Coronavirus is a wake-up call. Are you listening?

Partner content

Verizon, AT&T withdraw from smart-city efforts

Commentary

3 tips for mitigating the ransomware threat to government offices

Partner content

In a new data decade, constituent experience reigns

Commentary

Real-Time Situational Awareness: Today’s Holy Grail

Commentary

Vehicle routers serving as tip of the 5G spear for public safety

Commentary

FirstNet Authority standards director recaps June 3GPP Plenary Meetings in Newport Beach, Calif.

Commentary

How 3D location can increase situational awareness and improve operational efficiency

Commentary

Trick or treat? Next few months could influence direction of critical-communications world

Public safety in limbo while feds try to execute new law

Commentary

Coronavirus is a wake-up call. Are you listening?

Verizon, AT&T withdraw from smart-city efforts

3 tips for mitigating the ransomware threat to government offices

Events

UC Ezines

IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

Twitter

Ryan Poltermann, innovation architect at @CommdexC & vice chair of NPSTC’s LMR/LTE Integration and Interoperability… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

As the US settles into a “new normal” that includes spending a lot of time on the Internet to avoid spreading… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

The #COVID19 outbreak is forcing agencies to consider atypical measures to ensure the health of #publicsafety commu… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

High-power user equipment (HPUE) that promises to almost double the coverage range for @FirstNet subscribers using… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Are locals prepared to battle #COVID19? @AmerCityCounty surveyed its readership to find out. Here are some highligh… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

James Sim, CEO at @Drakontas, explains how his company's DragonForce command-and-control collaboration platform is… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

.@MotoSolutions agrees to acquire @IndigoVisionLtd for $37.2 million. IndigoVision is a Scotland-based provider of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

AT&T announced @FirstNet PTT, a solution based on the 3GPP’s #MCPTT standard available for $10/month & that 2 high-… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…