Commentary Big-picture question about FirstNet’s commercial role bubbles to the surface 28th June 2016 After years of asking FirstNet officials whether it will build a nationwide public-safety network, federal lawmakers last week asked whether the FIrstNet system would compete with existing commercial telecom providers. Yes, it will—just as Congress ordered when it established FirstNet more than four years ago.
Commentary If FirstNet is not the answer, does someone have a better alternative? 23rd June 2016 Some have asserted that Republicans would want to torpedo FirstNet if the party is successful in the November elections. Given the structure of FirstNet’s RFP, such a strategy would not make a lot of sense.
Commentary Taking a bite out of public-safety hazards, one byte at a time 21st June 2016 The new possibilities that information and communications technology (ICT) innovations enable—particularly in the area of mobility—are tremendous. When they are applied to a service as indispensable as public safety, the net result is safer, healthier and more stable communities that provide a dramatically higher quality of life for all.
News Governors’ rep to Senate: States want more input into FirstNet plans, opt-out alternative is a ‘false choice’ for most 21st June 2016 State and territories want greater input into the FirstNet deployment plans for their jurisdictions, especially because the opt-out alternative is a “false choice” for most states, a representative from the National Governors Association (NGA) testified today during a hearing before a Senate subcommittee.
News pdvWireless announces bid for FirstNet, belief that FCC will release NOI on 900 MHz broadband proposal 16th June 2016 Officials for pdvWireless confirm the company’s much-rumored bid to build a nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) for FirstNet and express “frustration and disappointment” with the FCC regarding a proceeding centered around a pdvWireless proposal to transform 900 MHz LMR spectrum to broadband use.
News South Korea, UK aim for completion of public-safety LTE deployments next year 14th June 2016 As FirstNet evaluates bids to build a nationwide public-safety broadband network in the United States, public-safety LTE deployments in South Korea and the United Kingdom (UK) are expected to be completed next year, according to speakers at the Public Safety Broadband Stakeholder Meeting conducted by Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR).
News Convergence between public-safety and commercial communications not just a one-way street 9th June 2016 Convergence to date primarily has been a function of public safety moving toward technologies used in commercial communications, but there are indications that public safety’s requirements could have a large impact on the manner in which the commercial world works in the future.
News Ericsson says its Motorola Solutions deal will not prevent participation in FirstNet proposals with others 8th June 2016 Ericsson announces that it is working with “multiple organizations” as part of efforts to deploy a nationwide public-safety LTE network for FirstNet, despite questions surrounding its long-term deal with Motorola Solution that is being described as an exclusive arrangement with the public-safety-communications giant.
Commentary It’s still early, but the winner of the FirstNet RFP appears to be … public safety 7th June 2016 Today’s Rivada Mercury announcement revealing its key team members of its offeror team should make potential public-safety customers more comfortable about the proposed FirstNet nationwide broadband network, even if Rivada Mercury does not emerge as the selected contractor.
News Rivada Mercury unveils key partners of team pursuing FirstNet contract 7th June 2016 While others seeking to build a nationwide public-safety broadband network for FirstNet remain silent, the one publicly confirmed bidder announces that its legal name will be Rivada Mercury and identified several key partners on its offeror team. Rivada Networks CEO Declan Ganley says that the Rivada Mercury proposal would provide public safety with unprecedented coverage, favorable pricing and would would be attractive enough to states that they would have no incentive to pursue the opt-out alternative.
Latest 3GPP standards-development work includes new classes of HPUE, progress on mission-critical services 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