Article U.S. government fights release of Fitzgerald e-mails about FirstNet 24th October 2013 U.S. Department of Justice–representing FirstNet–has until mid-November to respond to a Story County, Iowa, filing. Story County has asked a federal court to lift a preliminary injunction blocking the public release of e-mail sent and received by FirstNet board member Paul Fitzgerald, the county’s sheriff, using his work e-mail account.
News FirstNet reschedules meeting for Friday 23rd October 2013 Last week’s scheduled meeting was canceled due to the federal government shutdown; Friday’s teleconference is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. ET.
Commentary The readers always write: Managing FirstNet expectations 22nd October 2013 As tempting as it may be for FirstNet haters to complain, it is important that the public-safety community be patient and maintain an open mind until the network design and financial model have been chosen.
News FirstNet cancels meeting but is still open for business 16th October 2013 While the federal government shutdown is forcing FirstNet to be “very cost-conscious,” staff still is working on the entity’s various missions–including the selection of staff to meet with the individual states and territories–says TJ Kennedy, FirstNet’s deputy general manager.
Commentary Listen up—Morgan O’Brien tosses out his latest fantastical notion 7th October 2013 Morgan O’Brien–co-founder of Nextel Communications and the first to propose a nationwide broadband network for public safety–says the private-radio industry also needs to migrate to broadband technologies like LTE to flourish.
News Multipath Networks bonds Internet connections to deliver greater speeds, reliability 3rd October 2013 Ireland-based Multipath Networks this month is introducing its bandwidth-aggregation technology–used by first responders and enterprises in Europe–to U.S. consumers and enterprises. The solution is expected to be commercially available early next year.
News Rockefeller aide says letter rebuking Motorola Solutions ‘stands on its own’ 26th September 2013 A committee aide for Sen. John “Jay” Rockefeller said the senator’s letter to Motorola Solutions “stands on its own” when asked if Rockefeller had any evidence other than media reports that the company was involved in any anti-FirstNet activities.
News NTIA almost completes grant awards for FirstNet planning 26th September 2013 Only the state of Louisiana still is waiting for its award to be announced. Initially, states will receive only 50% of their award–provided by the NTIA’s State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP)–which will be used to pay for first-phase activities, such as expanding existing governance entities to consult with FirstNet, conducting education and outreach to relevant stakeholders, and identifying potential public-safety users in their jurisdictions.
News FirstNet special report: Fitzgerald’s openness, transparency claims incorrect 23rd September 2013 Special review committee—supported by a three-person team of attorneys from the U.S. Department of Commerce—finds that the FirstNet board of directors has engaged in open and transparent decision-making, and did not withhold information from some board members. Chairman Sam Ginn said it is important now that board members “begin to rebuild trust in one another.”
News FirstNet committee postpones release of first report on Fitzgerald allegations 17th September 2013 A draft of the report–which will address allegations that FirstNet board members have acted inappropriately–is completed, but special committee needs to “dot i’s and cross t’s,” says Wellington Webb, committee chairman.
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