News PTT over FirstNet gains traction, with some entities planning to abandon LMR 24th March 2022 LAS VEGAS—Perceived primarily as a data-centric network, FirstNet connectivity is gaining traction as a mission-critical-voice alternative to traditional land-mobile-radio (LMR) technology, as speakers during IWCE 2022 conference sessions have noted this week. Push-to-talk (PTT) solution ESChat was one of the first applications included in the FirstNet App Catalog when it was established years ago, but […]
News AT&T calls for LMR-like hardening, coverage for FirstNet in-building systems 23rd March 2022 LAS VEGAS—AT&T supports the notion that in-building systems supporting first-responder communications on FirstNet should meet public-safety-grade requirements for coverage and resiliency, but questions remain about the business model for building owners that are expected to provide most—if not all—of the funding. Steve Devine, AT&T’s director of public-safety policy and strategy for FirstNet, said that in-building […]
News Icom focuses development efforts on emerging broadband, IoT technologies 22nd March 2022 Icom may be best known in the communications industry for its portfolio of land-mobile-radio (LMR) products, but the Japan-based this week showcase enhancements to its Connect suite of solutions that is designed to leverage myriad broadband technologies to address customers’ communications needs, according to a company official. “Where we’re going, as a brand, is where […]
News NTIA speaker addresses the promises, challenges associated with NG911 22nd March 2022 LAS VEGAS—“I’m not going to buy the refrigerator that can call 911, but what about a fire alarm?” asked Jay English during a conference kickoff session Monday for the IWCE 2022 event in Las Vegas. With the evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT) and other emerging technologies, emergency managers are rightfully considering the ability […]
News L3Harris proclaims broad support for MCPTT across converged-device portfolio 21st March 2022 L3Harris today announced that 15 of its XL series LMR-LTE radios will support the mission-critical-push-to-talk (MCPTT) standard, meaning the company now has the largest portfolio of MCPTT-capable devices in the industry, according to a company official. Todd Perdieu, director of partners, products and strategy at L3Harris, said support for a standard like MCPTT promises to […]
News Partnership of Cobham Satcom, Hypha by Wireless Innovation could aid critical-comms transitions 21st March 2022 Critical-communications entities throughout the world seeking to make a resilient, cost-effective step in the transition to broadband technologies could benefit from a recently announced partnership between Denmark-based Cobham Satcom and Australia-based Hypha by Wireless Innovation, according to Hypha CEO Neil Jamieson. Known as the PRISM solution, the Cobham-Hypha initiative uses LTE and satellite to extend […]
Partner content ESN sees ‘good progress’ but challenges remain in the UK, director says 19th March 2022 Most of the network infrastructure for the Emergency Services Network (ESN)—the public-safety LTE system being built throughout the United Kingdom (UK)—is complete, but it is unclear when UK first responders will use the new system in their day-to-day operations, according to ESN Programme Director John Black. Speaking at the British APCO (BAPCO) event earlier this […]
Partner content Dubai Police unveil driverless patrol cars 18th March 2022 Dubai Police have revealed what are being billed as the world’s most hi-tech police vehicles – and they don’t need a driver. The self-driving patrol cars attracted huge interest when they were unveiled at the World Police Summit at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020 earlier this week. The machines – the M01 and M02 – are […]
News New tower company vows to take public-safety-centric approach to commercial wireless 18th March 2022 Some familiar faces to the first-responder industry this week announced the Public Safety Towers Company (PSTC), which enters the competitive wireless-infrastructure space while promising to take a public-safety-centric approach in an effort to find synergies between government-owned assets and commercial-carrier needs. Launched last month, PSTC has received an initial $50 million investment from InfraRed Capital […]
News AT&T says FirstNet unit grew 60% to a $1.7 billion business in 2021 12th March 2022 FirstNet has been an “undisputed success” for AT&T, growing 60% in 2021 to generate $1.7 billion in revenue for the carrier giant that has been contracted to build and maintain the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN), according to an AT&T official. Rasesh Patel, chief product and platform officer for AT&T Business, also updated the coverage […]
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
