The Importance of LTE Interoperability
By Dr. Walt Magnussen Jr. In a data-centric world, interoperability takes on a whole new meaning. In public-safety references, it is the ability to share information from any source with…
Articles by Editorial Staff
FirstNet Contract Available on FireRescue GPO
By Doug Schrage, WFCA President Now that all 50 states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories have opted in to FirstNet as a communication provider for emergency responders,…
FCC Commissioner O’Rielly calls on governors to provide 911-fee-diversion information
FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly sends a letter to the governors of New York, Oklahoma, Missouri, Montana, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, criticizing those governments for not responding…
Texas DPS launches new drone program
Texas DPS is launching a new drone program, about eight years after scrapping its first effort due to challenges posed by federal restrictions and maintenance costs AUSTIN — The Texas…
AT&T Targets Developers with Apps for FirstNet App Catalog
SOURCE: Mission Critical Communications DATE: February 15, 2018 The head of AT&T’s application developer program for the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) outlined details on…
911 location-accuracy program set for third stage; Z-axis testing expected to begin later this year
Device-based hybrid solutions that utilize Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals appear to be the most promising to help locate people using a cell phone to call 911 from inside buildings within…
In The News – You Decide
By Richard Mirgon, Public Safety Consultant This last week has provided some interesting news that is worthy of contemplation. I want to start with the blog about the Verizon Super…
Here’s an idea for infrastructure week: Bring 911 into the 21st century
By Editorial Board, The Washington Post THIS FRIDAY marks the 50th anniversary of the first 911 emergency call placed in the United States. Since then, uncounted lives have been saved…
FirstNet, AT&T, State Officials Detail Rural Buildout Priorities
Rural deployment will not be an afterthought to urban deployment during the buildout of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), AT&T, FirstNet and state officials said during a webinar hosted…
Early FirstNet Subscribers Detail QPP Services
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) subscribers offered more details on their service features, specifically quality of service, priority and pre-emption (QPP). Two of the FirstNet subscribers announced last month continue…
Colorado gets a leg up on FirstNet deployment
As one of the Early Builders for FirstNet’s nationwide broadband public safety network, Colorado officials expect their experience testing the demonstration network’s capabilities will help as applications and devices come…
New communications system prioritizes emergency responders’ calls during catastrophic emergencies
It can be frustrating having a call drop, or a text that simply won’t deliver. For first responders, that’s not an option in an emergency situation. A new communications network…
States are stealing funds from 9-1-1 emergency services — now they’ll be punished
BY MICHAEL O’RIELLY AND JESSICA ROSENWORCEL Next week, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first 9-1-1 telephone call. That simple act helped revolutionize emergency communications. From it, we…
House passes Kari’s Law amendment
U.S. House members approves an amendment to Kari’s Law legislation—a measure that would require direct dialing for 911 calls made on multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) frequently used by hotels, offices…
Commerce Secretary Appoints FirstNet Board Members
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross appoints three new FirstNet board members and the appointment of another board member to three-year terms, leaving the FirstNet board with one open seat…