News FirstNet state plans will include construction-grant figure, but NTIA review process likely to come later 11th September 2017 Governors will learn how much the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) expects to provide their states and territories in construction-grant funding in an “opt-out” scenario when they receive their FirstNet state plans, but details of the NTIA review process likely will not be in the state plans, according to an NTIA official.
News Harris County officials detail communications impacts of unprecedented flooding in aftermath of Hurricane Harvey 11th September 2017 While the vast majority of public-safety LMR and LTE sites in Harris County, Texas, have remained operational since the landfall of Hurricane Harvey, unprecedented flooding from the event could result in multiple new policy and resource decisions in the future, according to county officials.
News New Hampshire hopes to make ‘opt-in/opt-out’ recommendation to governor by early October 7th September 2017 Rivada Networks names U.S. Cellular as the carrier partner for its alternative radio-access-network (RAN) plan for the state of New Hampshire, which is on track to make an “opt-in/opt-out” recommendation to its governor within the next several weeks, according to a state official.
News AT&T’s Sambar apologizes to NPSTC, describes core-to-core interoperability as a ‘slippery slope’ 7th September 2017 Chris Sambar, AT&T’s official leading the FirstNet effort, apologizes for comments about the public-safety-grade (PSG) definition, said AT&T is committed to Band 14 deployment and outlined potential security concerns that core-to-core interoperability with Verizon or other carriers could cause for public safety.
News And then there were 20: With Nebraska, FirstNet ‘opt-in’ decisions top 35% threshold for states and territories 1st September 2017 Nebraska has accepted the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) deployment plan offered by FirstNet and AT&T on behalf of his state, making it the 18th U.S. state—not including two territories—to “opt-in” to the FirstNet system. With 20 of the 56 U.S. states and territories having made “opt-in” decisions, FirstNet has received “opt-in” notification from 35.7% of all governors.
Video Safer Buildings Coalition: John Foley outlines in-building-coverage challenges for public safety 1st September 2017 John Foley, vice president of operations for the Safer Buildings Coalition, discusses interference, FirstNet, economic and code issues associated with in-building coverage to support public-safety communications.
News Puerto Rico becomes second U.S. territory to ‘opt-in’ to FirstNet 31st August 2017 Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announces his decision to accept the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) deployment plan offered by FirstNet and AT&T on behalf of his territory, making Puerto Rico the second U.S. territory—along with 17 states—to “opt-in” to the FirstNet system.
News Tennessee becomes 17th state to ‘opt-in’ to FirstNet 31st August 2017 Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslem announces his decision to accept the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) deployment plan offered by FirstNet and AT&T on behalf of his state, making Tennessee the 17th state—not including the U.S. Virgin Islands territory—to “opt-in” to the FirstNet system.
News Alaska becomes 16th state to ‘opt-in’ to FirstNet 30th August 2017 Alaska Gov. Bill Walker announces his decision to accept the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) deployment plan offered by FirstNet and AT&T on behalf of his state, making Alaska the 16th state—not including the U.S. Virgin Islands territory—to “opt-in” to the FirstNet system.
News Network providers work to overcome communications challenges caused by Harvey 29th August 2017 Hurricane-force winds during the weekend and unprecedented flooding have created significant challenges in southeast Texas during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, but communications for public safety and commercial carriers largely have been maintained, according to multiple sources.
Is LMR the best solution for first responders? Should 4.9 GHz license go to the FirstNet Authority? 24th March 2024
FirstNet Authority reauthorization needed as public-safety-driven network evolution proceeds 16th March 2024