Video Texas A&M: Suman Bhunia showcases LTE-network backpack, components of DistressNet-NG architecture 12th July 2019 Suman Bhunia of Texas A&M University highlights the features of an LTE backpack–containing an LTE core and eNodeB base station–in development that could be carried by public-safety personnel into an area that lacks traditional network coverage. The backpack is a key piece to the DistressNet-NG architecture that also plans to leverage direct-mode communications, relay […]
Video PSCR: Terese Manley highlights efforts to provide public safety with LTE coverage via untethered drones 12th July 2019 Terese Manley, prize competition and challenge specialist for the Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Open Innovation team, discusses past and upcoming PSCR prize challenges that are designed to evaluate the capabilities of drones carrying an LTE base station to provide first responders with a wide swath of coverage in locations where typical terrestrial cell […]
Video Nemergent Solutions: Eneko Atxutegi discusses company’s MCPTT offering 10th July 2019 Eneko Atxutegi, research & development manager for Spain-based Nemergent Solutions, talks about the company’s mission-critical-push-to-talk (MCPTT) client and server offerings that meet the performance criteria associated with the 3GPP standard for MCPTT. Atxutegi spoke with IWCE’s Urgent Communications Editor Donny Jackson during the PSCR Public Safety Broadband Stakeholder Meeting being conducted in Chicago this […]
Video George Washington University: Chen Shen demonstrates application to optimize placement of mobile base stations 10th July 2019 Chen Shen, a student at George Washington University, explains and demonstrates how an algorithm-powered application could help locate mobile base stations–for example, cells on wheels (COWS) and aerial drones carrying LTE base stations–in a coordinated manner to maximize coverage for first responders operating in an area lacking normal terrestrial coverage. Shen and other members […]
News FCC data shows public-safety LMR licensing activity continues to drop during first half of 2019, while business sector remains flat 8th July 2019 Public-safety land-mobile-radio (LMR) licensing activity during the first half of 2019 is lagging behind last year’s record-low pace, while LMR licensing activity in the business-industrial sector is almost identical to the first six months of 2018. According to the FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) database, the agency has received 1,451 applications for new and modified […]
News FirstNet Authority outlines roadmap targets for future system reinvestment 3rd July 2019 FirstNet Authority board members are expected to decide this fall how as much as $78 million will be earmarked to help improve the capabilities of the FirstNet public-safety LTE network being built by AT&T, according to statements made about the network roadmap last week. During its March meeting, the FirstNet Authority board approved principles that […]
News L3Harris Technologies makes company debut after merger of Harris, L3 Technologies 2nd July 2019 L3Harris Technologies yesterday began operations as the sixth-largest defense company in the United States with revenues of about $17 billion, after the all-stock merger of Harris and L3 Technologies was completed on June 29, according to a company press release. Shares of Harris—previously traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the “HRS” ticker […]
Commentary FirstNet Authority standards director recaps June 3GPP Plenary Meetings in Newport Beach, Calif. 1st July 2019 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 Exciting times: When it comes to innovation, there is a lot going on in the public-safety sector 28th June 2019 A previous article examined the obstacles faced by those public-safety entities known as “early adopters” as they strive to bring forward technological and operational innovations intended to improve emergency-response outcomes, keep emergency responders safer and protect mission-critical assets. This article explores some of the innovations that were discussed during the Early Adopter Summit hosted last […]
News San Jose announces widespread FirstNet adoption for public safety, other city government personnel 28th June 2019 Personnel throughout the city of San Jose will be using more than 4,500 devices on the FirstNet system being built by AT&T—representing the most comprehensive adoption of the public-safety LTE network by any local jurisdiction to date—according to a joint announcement from the city and the carrier. San Jose Deputy City Manager Kip Harkness said […]
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
