Article FirstNet approves spectrum deal with LA-RICS 28th June 2013 FirstNet board members yesterday voted to approve a spectrum-lease agreement with the with Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System Authority (LA-RICS), which becomes the first public-safety entity to get permission from FirstNet to use the 20 MHz of 700 MHz for the buildout of a first-responder LTE network
Education FirstNet: Making the numbers add up 27th June 2013 The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) this year embarked on a monumental and unprecedented task, which is to build the first nationwide broadband communications network for first responders. One of the most challenging aspects of the project is one that will need to be tackled in the earliest stages: how to create an economic model that not only will result in the network being built, but also will ensure its long-term sustainability.
News FirstNet to conduct special meeting tomorrow 26th June 2013 Will vote on LA-RICS spectrum-lease agreement, and consider acquisition-strategy proposal submitted by General Manager Bill D’Agostino.
Commentary Emergency communications must be out of harm’s way 25th June 2013 The only way to guarantee that first responders have working communications after a disaster is to establish a path-diverse back-up network based on satellite technology.
Commentary Dynamic Spectrum Arbitrage is the key for a sustainable FirstNet 25th June 2013 With the FirstNet board facing a funding shortfall to deploy a nationwide broadband network for first responders, Dynamic Spectrum Access could provide the necessary upfront fund to build the network and the ongoing revenue stream needed to ensure long-term sustainability.
News LA-RICS approves spectrum-lease agreement with FirstNet 20th June 2013 Approval marks the first time that an individual jurisdiction has completed this important first step in proceeding with the implementation of a public-safety LTE network on 700 MHz airwaves.
Commentary Band 14 in every cellular device? 12th June 2013 Including the band in every wireless device–phones, tablet computers, electric meters and more–should dramatically reduce the cost of chipsets, potentially create new funding mechanisms, and provide public officials with a vital alerting resource in emergencies that they don’t have today.
News FirstNet grants extension for BTOP recipients 12th June 2013 Entities have through July 12 to complete spectrum-lease negotiations; meanwhile, the deadline to spend grant money also is expected to be pushed back one year to September 2015.
Commentary Global ecosystem for public-safety LTE begins to look realistic 11th June 2013 The prospect of a global public-safety standard could have a massive impact on pricing for equipment and applications, if managed correctly.
News FirstNet special committee takes initial steps, readies for Fitzgerald interview 10th June 2013 Two subcommittees were formed, one to look into openness and transparency concerns, and another to examine conflict-of-interest allegations. FirstNet chairman Sam Ginn has vowed to implement committee recommendations, “whatever they are.”
Land mobile radio (LMR) systems are just as vulnerable to cyberattacks as any other networks used in the public-safety sector. Here’s what to do about it. 1 7th November 2023
