Opting Out to FirstNet is a Cop Out and Expensive to Taxpayers
States owe it to their residents – and their pocketbooks – to opt-in to FirstNet. It will not only save taxpayers money, but may also help responders better save their…
Articles by Editorial Staff
An Opt-Out Doomsday Clock? Seriously?
From offering input as to the definition of public safety responder, to publicly stating its views as to Opt-Out being a false choice, APCO has been and will continue to be a voice in support of FirstNet and their partner, AT&T.
NTIA Officials Outline Expected Process Associated With Reviews Of States Seeking FirstNet ‘Opt-out’
Governors will have the most crucial financial information when they receive final state plans from FirstNet next month, but the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) review process may not…
Interoperable Response and Preparedness Platform (IRAPP) Network
Mutualink enables the secure sharing of communication and data for streamlined operations and security within and among the entities pictured above. In our complex society, Federal, State and municipal governments and the private sector need to better communicate within and among organizations in a secure fashion and without geographic bounds.
Analyst Angle: APCO 2017 Conference Takeaways
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.
New Fontana Police Body Cameras Record Video — And Much, Much More
By Sept. 1, all patrol officers will be issued cameras — which are smartphones loaded with software developed by Silicon Valley-based Visual Labs. The Fontana Police Department will enter the…
FirstNet Officials Say Advocacy For Public Safety Is Key Role In The Future
FirstNet will continue to work with public-safety representatives to ensure that its nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) evolves to meet first responders’ needs during the next 25 years, according to…
FirstNet Coverage: Making Sure There Is Common Ground
Recently I was sent an article dated July 18, 2017, apparently written by someone with access to the FirstNet Portal for Pennsylvania. The paper was attached to the testimony for the U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology authored by LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Chairman of U.S. Cellular Corporation. I was asked to review this paper because there were questions about points made by the author and what the author believes public safety was promised.
AT&T Exec Discusses Core-to-core Interoperability, Verizon Proposal, FirstNet Differentiators
Enabling interoperability between the FirstNet public-safety LTE core being built by AT&T and the LTE cores of Verizon or other carriers is feasible technically, but doing so would be a…
Nevada Governor Sandoval Approves Buildout Plan for First Responder Network
Nevada is transforming communications capabilities for first responders across the Silver State. CARSON CITY, Nev., Aug. 17, 2017 – Nevada is transforming communications capabilities for first responders across the Silver…
Kansas Governor Brownback Approves Buildout Plan for First Responder Network
“This initiative positions Kansas to provide state-of-the-art emergency communication services to the benefit of our residents, businesses and visitors.” RESTON, Va., Aug. 15, 2017 – Kansas is transforming public safety…
Arizona to Transform Communications for Public Safety
“The State of Arizona is ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with AT&T and FirstNet to finally deploy a true interoperable nationwide communications system for public safety.” RESTON, Va., August 14, 2017…
Kansas taps AT&T to boost fire, police communications in emergencies
Fire, police, medical and other first responders in Kansas will gain dedicated wireless services in emergencies under the state’s FirstNet deal with AT&T.
Arizona becomes second state to ‘opt-in’ to FirstNet after issuing RFP for alternative RAN
Arizona yesterday accepted the FirstNet deployment plan to build the nationwide public-safety broadband networks (NPSBN) within its borders, making it the 12th state to “opt-in” and just the second state to make the decision after previously issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to build an alternative LTE radio access network (RAN).
PSAP personnel to receive priority, preemptive access on FirstNet
Dispatchers, call-takers and other personnel working in public-safety answering points will have priority access immediately to FirstNet—and preemptive access by the end of the year—FirstNet officials announced this week during the APCO 2017 show.