The Federal Communications Commission has granted the use of 4.9 GHz spectrum to the First Responders Network Authority (FirstNet), and by extension, its network partner AT&T.
The order specifies that the agency has to select a band manager, which will then apply for a...
Network operators are racing to restore connectivity across five Southeastern states devastated by Hurricane Helene.
Cellular networks across the Appalachian Mountains were taken out by the storm, which blew ashore in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane and then barreled northward, dumping feet of rain,...
The majority of public safety professionals consider AI a top priority, but see 5G as the most impactful technology, reveals Verizon survey
The fourth iteration of Verizon Frontline’s survey of nearly 1,700 public safety professionals revealed that network reliability and resiliency are a top priority....
The Federal Communications Commission has announced two settlements with telecom service providers in regards to network outages during 2023.
AT&T will pay nearly a million dollars as part of its settlement. In addition to the $950,000 fine for the network outage on August 22,...
FirstNet budget passes with more than $500 million for network improvements
Now that the initial build-out of the FirstNet network has been completed, the First Responders Network Authority is turning its attention to continuing upgrades and coverage expansion.
Yesterday, the FirstNet Authority board passed its fiscal...
WASHINGTON, D.C.—While in-building coverage for cellular and public safety Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems is a challenge across building use types, it is a particularly urgent one in schools. At last week's Safer Buildings Coalition Tech and Policy Summit, the issues surrounding first responder...
The 'next phase' of the FirstNet network focuses on 5G and coverage expansion
Having completed the initial deployment of the FirstNet network for first responders, AT&T and the First Responders Network Authority today announced that they expect to invest $8 billion in to the network...
The governing board for the First Responders Network Authority (FirstNet) has approved network reinvestments of $547 million for its fiscal year 2024, focused on increasing coverage and transitioning FirstNet to a full 5G network.
FirstNet says that as of the end of 2023, it...
Connected mobility uses smartphone and automotive tech to bring help
When an automobile accident happens, time is of the essence to save lives. It’s the same with any emergency. Connected Mobility is how emergency services are being modernized with new technology to provide assistance more...
Personal Emergency Response System or PERS, and Connected Health are being upgraded, says the MAMA 2023 Annual Conference, which was recently held in New Orleans. This was the Medical Alert Monitoring Association 16thannual event highlighting the importance and focus on upgrading emergency services systems...
Just like everything else in our world, 9-1-1 Emergency Services are rapidly moving from voice to data. Yesterday, it was a big job simply connecting every landline to the emergency network to report an emergency like fire, medical or police. Back then there were...
Lahaina being served by temporary site solutions in the wake of wildfire damage
Of the 21 sites taken down by wildfires in Maui, all but five are back in service as of today, according to figures from the Federal Communications Commission.
The agency is tracking...
Telecom carriers continue to work on restoring service in the areas of West Maui impacted by devastatingly destructive wildfires. The official death toll stood at 96 as of early Monday, with hundreds of people still missing and the search and recovery efforts still in...
The devastating wildfires in Hawaii have caused at least 55 deaths and widespread damage, particularly in the city of Lahaina on Maui, as well as communications outages because cellular towers have burned.
Carriers have already been deploying support for first responders and residents to...
When we were young, we were taught in case of emergency to call 9-1-1 or the Operator for help. That was back in the day when all we had was a phone and a telephone line. Today, things are much different. Today, we have...
Lead from at least 2,000 old cables has degraded over time, contaminating the water and soil in several U.S. communities, reported The Wall Street Journal
In a shocking report, The Wall Street Journal found that thousands of toxic lead-covered cables have been left behind by...
FirstNet's spectrum use has been reauthorized, but Congress must act to extend its statutory authority
A Federal Communications Commission bureau has reauthorized Firstnet's use of its Band 14 700 MHz spectrum, while a pending bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would make the agency's...
Verizon will supply Veterans Affairs with mobile devices and mission-critical communications support
Verizon Public Sector has expanded its existing partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and health care facilities. As part of the new $448.3 million, nine-year agreement, Verizon will...
An accidental emergency alert sent to Florida residents' cell phones at 4:45 a.m. on Thursday prompted a public outcry, a contract cancellation by the state and an inquiry from the Federal Communications Commission.
According to a tweet by the Florida Division of Emergency Management,...
Joseph Wassel is a longtime DoD executive technologist with a focus on communications
A Department of Defense senior executive who founded and chaired DoD's global working group on public safety communications has been named as the new executive director/CEO of the FirstNet Authority.
Joseph Wassel...
Yesterday, Operator, Directory Assistance and 9-1-1 Emergency Services all played an important role in our landline telephone world. However, as landlines are being replaced by wireless smartphones, VoIP Internet service and other technologies, these vital services are also fading away. Let’s take a look...
A new survey of more than 7,100 first responders conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reflects their need for communications tech that is "trustworthy," "controllable" and " user frustration."
NIST's "Voice of First Responders" project was five years in the...
Nextivity is also re-branding its public safety portfolio
In-building wireless company Nextivity has acquired High-Power User Equipment (HPUE) company Assured Wireless, which serves the public safety user market.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Assured Wireless was founded in 2016 and is based...
The solution uses Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF Systems and Iridium satellite constellation's weather-resistant L-band spectrum
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Satellite, announced at CES 2023, is designed to provide global, two-way messaging capabilities for smartphones. The solution is supported by Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF Systems and weather-resilient L-band spectrum...
