Networks & Systems Commentary

Commentary

Unfinished Business: Why NFPA and IBC fire codes need to kill the fire phone

In the human body, the appendix seems to serve no functional purpose. Why did the organ appear? How can it come out of people’s bodies with no harm? Much as a person’s appendix is a mystery organ with no value, the North American fire codes contain a similar useless bygone artifact. The omnipresent-but-never-used wired two-way […]

Commentary

Unlocking the power of ESInets: Different NG911 provisioning approaches exist; level of control is key differentiator

Next-generation 911 (NG911) systems represent a quantum leap forward for the public-safety community and the citizens that it serves. Internet Protocol (IP)-based and broadband-enabled, such systems are capable of considerably more than legacy 911 systems, which is why many emergency communications centers (ECCs) from coast to coast are clamoring to implement them. The broadband capabilities […]

Partner content

Ransomware? Let’s call it what it really is: extortionware

Just as the targets of these attacks have shifted from individuals to corporations, so too has the narrow focus given way to applying force and pressure to pay. No one needs reminding that ransomware has reached incredible proportions; one widely reported statistic from Purplesec suggests that $20 billion was paid out in 2020. That’s almost double its […]

Commentary

Redefining communications for today’s mobile workforces

Communicating with personnel was already a challenge for companies with workers in the field, deskless staff who travel, as well as widespread workforces in siloed divisions and office locations. Now that COVID-19 has all but eradicated traditional in-person relationships and many in-office team members are now working remotely, keeping everyone synced is an even more […]

Partner content

Hi-tech sewer can help safeguard public health, environment and economies

In the wake of the coronavirus, economic recovery is top of mind for all city leaders, the majority of whom believe that investing in infrastructure and technology can spur a rebound. Yet current analyses indicate that we only have funding available to cover approximately 57 percent of infrastructure system improvements through 2029, leaving an investment gap of $2.6 […]

Commentary

Communications solutions must evolve quickly to meet needs of a changing world

The world has changed significantly in recent months, and there is no doubt we are living in unprecedented times. The ways in which we communicate have evolved rapidly, particularly for the first responders who have stepped up to fight the pandemic, wildfires, and more. There has been not just a flurry of new users, but […]

Commentary

How satellite communications create a critical connectivity link for first responders

During the 2019 California wildland fires, at least 874 cellphone towers were unavailable because of power outages or tech issues and damage from fire and wind. Up to 57% of cell sites in impacted areas were not working. The situation created what the director of the state’s Office of Emergency Services, described as a “worst-case […]

Partner content

U.S. sets up new open RAN group amid telecom slugfest with China

Telecom probably didn’t need another open RAN association, but it seems to have gained one anyway. In a low-key announcement, the Open RAN Policy Coalition introduced itself to the world today as the latest group advocating a more open approach to the construction of radio access networks. “Open” meaning no Huawei, of course. For as […]

Partner content

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 […]

Partner content

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 […]

Networks & Systems Commentary

Commentary

Unfinished Business: Why NFPA and IBC fire codes need to kill the fire phone

Commentary

Unlocking the power of ESInets: Different NG911 provisioning approaches exist; level of control is key differentiator

Partner content

Ransomware? Let’s call it what it really is: extortionware

Commentary

Redefining communications for today’s mobile workforces

Partner content

Hi-tech sewer can help safeguard public health, environment and economies

Commentary

Communications solutions must evolve quickly to meet needs of a changing world

Commentary

How satellite communications create a critical connectivity link for first responders

Partner content

U.S. sets up new open RAN group amid telecom slugfest with China

Partner content

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

Partner content

Verizon, AT&T withdraw from smart-city efforts

Commentary

Unfinished Business: Why NFPA and IBC fire codes need to kill the fire phone

Unlocking the power of ESInets: Different NG911 provisioning approaches exist; level of control is key differentiator

Ransomware? Let’s call it what it really is: extortionware

Events

UC Ezines

IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

Twitter

Newscan: Once, superpower summits were about nukes. Now, it’s cyberweapons. dlvr.it/S1zxGF

Unfinished Business: Why NFPA and IBC fire codes need to kill the fire phone dlvr.it/S1wQmW

Driverless-tech liability is all in the wording dlvr.it/S1vykc

Is an attacker living off your land? dlvr.it/S1tXVd

New ThroughTek IoT supply-chain vulnerability announced dlvr.it/S1tRWW

What “smart city” means for 2021: How digital twins, AI and other innovations drive smart transformation dlvr.it/S1tQTV

Newscan: Most firms face second ransomware attack after paying off first dlvr.it/S1rl17

Required MFA is not sufficient for strong security: Report dlvr.it/S1rVpR