Will FirstNet Move Forward with Local Broadband Projects Earlier in February, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) announced that it would like to use the seven Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant winners as test sites for the National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). FirstNet now has 90 days to negotiate individual lease agreements with … Continue reading
Several commercial cellular carrier networks failed during Hurricane Sandy, whereas most public safety LMR systems remained operational. This is largely due to the fact that public safety LMR sites have backup generators and have been hardened to endure severe weather—precautions that commercial carriers do not currently provide. Tahir Khan therefore calls on FirstNet to avoid … Continue reading
The four largest cell phone carriers in the U.S. recently agreed to offer text-to-911 service by summer 2014. It will not automatically be provided to consumers, however. Each public safety answering point (PSAP) in America will need to issue their own request and wait up to six months for the carriers to begin providing … Continue reading
State and local officials are concerned about the amount of input they would receive under FirstNet’s proposed network architecture. Some of the comments submitted for NTIA’s Notice of Inquiry (NOI) highlight a desire for state officials to serve in a more direct advisory capacity to the FirstNet Board. There are also calls for FirstNet to … Continue reading
Despite getting closer and closer to implementing the Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN), there is still some confusion among public safety officials concerning what type of voice communications will function on the new network. Commercial vendors are repurposing their old 2G networks to support LTE technology, however the voice services currently being created are dial-up … Continue reading
Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) authored legislation that seeks to ensure public safety officials will be able to communicate effectively and efficiently during an emergency. The bill, which passed earlier this year, will eventually establish an interoperable public safety broadband network that will allow first responders to communicate and exchange data securely across one frequency, rather … Continue reading
