Commentary Latest attacks underscore need for cybersecurity in next-generation critical communications 18th February 2016 During the past week, more examples of hackers compromising high-profile networks have hit the news. These scenarios should serve as a reminder how important it is that critical-communications systems like FirstNet, next-generation 911 and smart grids have appropriate cybersecurity solutions in place.
News FirstNet receives more than 400 questions about RFP, plans to begin publishing answers ‘within the week’ 16th February 2016 FirstNet received more than 400 questions about its request for proposal (RFP) that was released last month and plans to begin publishing answers “within the week,” according to a FirstNet spokesperson.
News AT&T spectrum-lease announcement a potential boon for utilities 11th February 2016 AT&T’s announcement of a spectrum-lease offering to utilities to support the buildout of private LTE networks could provide a key choice as the utility industry seeks to transform its smart-grid visions into reality.
News AT&T unveils plan to lease spectrum to utilities for private networks utilizing Nokia technology 11th February 2016 Carrier and Nokia announce a joint plan designed to address utilities’ long-stated need to access broadband spectrum to support critical communications. The offering calls for AT&T to lease its spectrum for 15 years to utilities, which would pay for the deployment of private LTE networks using Nokia technology.
News Mexico seeks bids for nationwide 700 MHz wholesale LTE network to serve competitive market, public safety 10th February 2016 Add Mexico to the list of countries that soon could leverage LTE technology to meet the communication needs of its public-safety entities, although first responders are just one of many groups to be served under the new Red Compartida tender for a wholesale LTE network operated on 90 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band.
News Federal lawmakers highlight FirstNet’s cybersecurity needs during hearing 7th February 2016 FirstNet should take measures to ensure that its nationwide public-safety broadband network is not victimized by the kind of data breaches and cyberattacks that have plagued other federal-government entities, several members of a House subcommittee said during a hearing.
Commentary Should Congress create a FirstNet-like entity to tackle next-generation 911? 4th February 2016 Deploying next-generation 911 should be a national priority, but no entity currently is positioned properly to ensure that it happens nationwide. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler says Congress should address the matter, but how?
News FCC will release its review guidelines for FirstNet opt-out states by Q2 2017, official tells Congress 3rd February 2016 States and territories considering the pursuit of the FirstNet opt-out alternative will know how the FCC will review opt-out proposals to deploy the radio access network (RAN) within their jurisdictions by the time state plans are delivered during the second quarter of 2017, an FCC official told Congress.
News FCC official addresses T-Band issue during hearing before Congress 2nd February 2016 Public-safety agencies depending on LMR communications systems operating on T-Band spectrum should experience “no loss of service—no loss of continuity” as a result of a federal mandate that requires public-safety licensees to clear the airwaves in five years, an FCC official said in testimony before Congress.
Commentary Want to keep track of FirstNet’s progress? Here are some key dates, milestones to remember 28th January 2016 When is FirstNet going to be built and provide the kind of reliable broadband services that the public-safety community has been seeking for the past decade? Here’s one projection, based on FirstNet’s RFP, current law and target deadlines for the key LTE standards body.
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