Governor Sununu says the state will pursue build-out with Rivada Networks
New Hampshire has become the first state to opt out of AT&T's nationwide build-out of a public safety LTE network for the First Responders Network Authority, as the Dec. 28th deadline approaches for all...
DAS installation at Evanston Township HS extends public safety, cellular coverage
When staff at the enormous Evanston Township High School needed to use their radios, coverage depended entirely on their location. The school -- which serves around 3,400 students and nearly 900 teachers and staff...
Former governors criticize FirstNet effort; congressional oversight hearing set for next week
FORT WORTH, Tex.--Former governors Jeb Bush and Martin O'Malley took to the stage at the Competitive Carriers Association show for a fireside-chat-style discussion of public safety communications that was more than a little...
Over the next 6-8 weeks, the governors of all 50 States and territories will have a critical decision to make – what public safety interoperable network solution will be deployed in their state and operated for the next 25 years? Wireless 20/20 has published...
Massive network repairs underway in Puerto Rico, USVI; wildfires keeping network teams busy in CA
Wireless network operators' ability to respond to natural disasters and keep networks running, or restore operations as quickly as possible, continues to be tested with the ongoing hurricane recovery efforts...
24 states have opted in, the rest have until Dec. 28 to decide
After a brief delay, the deadline for governors to decide whether to opt in or opt out of the First Responders Network Authority Radio Access Network build-out by AT&T has been set....
AT&T hopes to use LTE-connected drones to support FirstNet, the nationwide public safety network the carrier is building for the U.S. government. AT&T already uses drones to inspect cell towers and test antenna patterns, and recently the company has started testing mobile cell sites...
We all know the frustration that comes with switching from one user interface to another as we move between devices. It takes a second or two to get oriented, but in a life-and-death situation, those extra seconds could make a difference. Nokia hopes...
Texas is the largest state to join AT&T's build-out for the First Responders Network Authority public safety LTE network
FirstNet has landed its most populous state to date, with Texas announcing that it has opted in to the build-out of the public safety LTE network...
This is a critical time to ensure state public safety needs are met by FirstNet’s plans for the nationwide public safety broadband Network (NPSBN). Wireless 20/20 has published a new white paper designed to help state officials and governors evaluate the available information, and...
Zello walkie-talkie app provided connection for Hurricane Harvey volunteer rescue efforts
For the civilian volunteers who braved the flood waters of Hurricane Harvey, the walkie-talkie application Zello provided a lifeline and a means to organize their impromptu efforts.
Zello -- the name of both the...
It was a rough week for southeast Texas, as Hurricane Harvey slammed into the coast and dropped an unprecedented amount of water -- more than 50 inches, in some places. The pictures and video posted to social media by residents and journalists attempted to...
As AT&T readies to begin deployment of a nationwide LTE network dedicated to public safety officials, the public-private FirstNet plans continues to see traction at the state level. This week Hawaii opted into FirstNet bringing the total to 15 states and one territory.
In addition...
Hurricane Harvey leads to massive flooding, power outages; carriers offer free service in impacted areas
As Houston continues to be deluged with rain, the four national wireless carriers are waiving customer fees for voice, data and/or text in the most heavily impacted areas, as they...
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has wrapped up its annual conference and exhibition that tackled issues facing agencies fielding the nation's 9-1-1 communications operations. Held in Denver, Colorado, the event brings together 9-1-1 public safety answering point (PSAP) telecommunicators, supporting government...
As state's continue to opt in to the $46 billion plan for AT&T and governmental partners to build a nationwide LTE network dedicated to public safety communications, Verizon has moved from signaling its continued dedication to public safety to articulating its intention to build...
Verizon execs talk public safety market at APCO
With its win of the $7 billion FirstNet contract, AT&T was been dominating public safety communications news and mind share as states continue to opt in to the carrier's plan, which developed in partnership with the First...
At this point, there are nine states and one territory that have signed-off on FirstNet plans
States continue to opt-in into the national public safety LTE network that will be built by AT&T. Virginia was the first state to join the plan, followed by Arkansas, Wyoming...
In mid-2016, the Federal Communications Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee asked for public comment on whether it should study “changes to the spectrum noise floor over the past 20 years.” The number and type of devices which produce radio frequency energy has radically changed in...
The small, gray aircraft with bright orange under-wings looked like a large model plane, but the civilian drone carried an unusual passenger: electronic equipment that turned the unmanned aerial vehicle into a flying cell site.
As the drone flew on a predetermined path with a...
Arkansas, Wyoming and Kentucky join Virginia as the first states to opt in to FirstNet network
The First Responders Network Authority is gaining momentum as states begin to declare their official decisions to opt in to the national public safety LTE network build: Virginia kicked...
Virginia's governor declares intent to opt-in to the national build by AT&T
Less than a month after state plans were released, the first state has decided to opt in to the national public safety LTE network that will be built by AT&T: Virginia's governor has...
First ETSI mission-critical push-to-talk plugfest draws 19 vendors
In its first plugfest focused on interoperable, mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) capabilities for first responders, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute reported that more than 1,000 tests resulted in an 85% success rate.
ETSI said that the testing sessions were...
States can now review their FirstNet state plans
The First Responders Network Authority continues to pick up speed for the deployment of its nationwide public safety LTE network to be built by AT&T, releasing proposed network plans to U.S. states and territories through its online...
