Last Thursday members of the House Communications Subcommittee approved a bill that would reallocate the 10 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum known as the D-block to Public Safety and provide at least $5 billion ($6.5 billion estimated in text) in funding for a nationwide LTE first responder network.
Public Safety Alliance spokesman Chris Moore released a statement praising Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and the committee for their work to inspire bi-partisan support for the bill and striking a balance "between the needs of commercial wireless, public safety, broadcast and other interests, and in very difficult economic times."
In December of 2009, when the public safety community met in New York City to strategize efforts to pass this comprehensive legislation, many had doubts of its possibility. Despite the challenges of achieving this lofty goal, lawmakers, Public Safety advocates, the FCC, and the Obama administration have been moving towards it, slow and steady.
Since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Public Safety community has been struggling to improve interoperability and secure better operational capabilities for first responders. Access to a contiguous 20 MHz of spectrum is a leap forward for these efforts to come to fruition. Negotiations will continue among committee members, staff, and stakeholders as the JOBS bill is marked-up in the full committee this week.
Moore is chief of police for the San Jose, CA Police Department. He went on to comment, "On behalf of more than 2 million first responders nationwide, the Public Safety Alliance greatly appreciates and applauds their tireless efforts, countless hours of study, analysis, negotiation and results."
Rabu, 07 Desember 2011
Senin, 28 November 2011
Educate Yourself: A Look at Upcoming Webinars
Not everyone has the time or resources to attend educational conferences. Webinars are a great chance to gain industry insight and keep up on what's happening without spending the time or money most conferences require. Consider participating in the following webinars coming up this month.
1. TIA's Enabling Compliance: The FCC's new disability access rules will be held for members this Tuesday, November 29, 2011. On October 7, 2011 at 3:00 pm, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released two sets of final rules that will further implement the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (21st CVAA).
2. IWCE will be hosting a virtual tradeshow in partnership with Urgent Communications, complete with four free webinars on December 6, 2011:
Will Broadband Voice Replace Narrowband Voice? 11:15 am-12:15 pm (EST)
Comparing Digital Technologies: P25, TETRA, DMR, LTE, NXDN 1:30 pm-2:30 pm
IP in an LMR World 2:45 pm-3:45 pm
Implementing Broadband Communications 4:00 pm-5:00 pm
Register for this free event online with IWCE.
3. Register at Urgent Communications for Delivering Coordinated Emergency and Incident Response to Achieve Smarter City Operations (free) will be held at 2:00 pm on December 7th, 2011.
4. The Federal Communications Commission is in the process of updating its Part 90 rules for Private Land Mobile Radio Services, which will impact many Public Safety and utilities communications systems. The Utilities Telecom Council is hosting an educational webinar on December 7, 2011 to help communications officials become familiar with the new rules in the pipeline. The cost of this event is $145 for members, $295 for non-members. For more information, visit http://www.utc.org/utc/webinar-get-know-regarding-fcc-s-part-90-updates.
1. TIA's Enabling Compliance: The FCC's new disability access rules will be held for members this Tuesday, November 29, 2011. On October 7, 2011 at 3:00 pm, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released two sets of final rules that will further implement the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (21st CVAA).
2. IWCE will be hosting a virtual tradeshow in partnership with Urgent Communications, complete with four free webinars on December 6, 2011:
Will Broadband Voice Replace Narrowband Voice? 11:15 am-12:15 pm (EST)
Comparing Digital Technologies: P25, TETRA, DMR, LTE, NXDN 1:30 pm-2:30 pm
IP in an LMR World 2:45 pm-3:45 pm
Implementing Broadband Communications 4:00 pm-5:00 pm
Register for this free event online with IWCE.
3. Register at Urgent Communications for Delivering Coordinated Emergency and Incident Response to Achieve Smarter City Operations (free) will be held at 2:00 pm on December 7th, 2011.
4. The Federal Communications Commission is in the process of updating its Part 90 rules for Private Land Mobile Radio Services, which will impact many Public Safety and utilities communications systems. The Utilities Telecom Council is hosting an educational webinar on December 7, 2011 to help communications officials become familiar with the new rules in the pipeline. The cost of this event is $145 for members, $295 for non-members. For more information, visit http://www.utc.org/utc/webinar-get-know-regarding-fcc-s-part-90-updates.
Kamis, 10 November 2011
APCO Women's Leadership Conference Announced
April 18-19, 2012, women from across the country will gather to learn about and discuss leadership topics, including office communication, work-life balance, and career development.
For more info, visit http://wipsc.apcointl.org/.
Selasa, 01 November 2011
Motorola to Release LTE Gear in November
Motorola Solutions 700 MHz LTE networking and device gear will be available for purchase by Public Safety agencies beginning next month, according to an announcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in Chicago Monday.
The full commercial launch will make available the vendor giant's first version of fully integrated Public Safety LTE. They expect the first version to be fully commercially released by November 11th of this year, with everything fully integrated. Motorola is the first vendor to announce the release of commercial LTE on Band 14.
"We're proud to be there first," said Rick Keith, director of product management, according to Urgent Communications.
Partnerships with Ericsson and Verizon have been vital to Motorola's end-to-end solution. The company established a roaming arrangement with Verizon, and will use Ericsson LTE base-station equipment.
"We're proud to be there first," said Rick Keith, director of product management, according to Urgent Communications.
Partnerships with Ericsson and Verizon have been vital to Motorola's end-to-end solution. The company established a roaming arrangement with Verizon, and will use Ericsson LTE base-station equipment.
60% of Officers Use Consumer Broadband
A survey conducted in Pinellas County, FL by AT&T showed that more than 60% of police officers are using their commercial broadband devices (smart phones, tablets, laptops), to supplement the shortcomings of their agency-issued communications devices.
This information was provided by Pam Montanari, radio and data-systems manager for Pinellas County, during the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference in Chicago. Those who doubt the need of the proposed 700 MHz LTE network for Public Safety often criticize the plan by questioning whether officers will actually use wireless broadband technology regularly.
Of the 60%, 84% say they use these devices daily, 20% say they use these devices in critical situations. Regulations often prohibit the use of personal devices while on duty, but it seems the operations benefit outweighs the risk of reprimand for most first responders.
"Some of the most compelling uses of broadband cited by officers were 3D views of floor plans, GIS information, and a host of web applications that can accelerate the identification process and provide valuable evidence, according to the survey," writes Donny Jackson.
A trial is running this week in Pinellas County of these applications on Alcatel-Lucent's hosted LTE core. Montanari notes that the trial does not indicate that the county has chosen its LTE vendor yet, but clearly it is one more agency that is gearing up for utilizing next generation technologies.
Read more at Urgent Communications.
This information was provided by Pam Montanari, radio and data-systems manager for Pinellas County, during the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference in Chicago. Those who doubt the need of the proposed 700 MHz LTE network for Public Safety often criticize the plan by questioning whether officers will actually use wireless broadband technology regularly.
Of the 60%, 84% say they use these devices daily, 20% say they use these devices in critical situations. Regulations often prohibit the use of personal devices while on duty, but it seems the operations benefit outweighs the risk of reprimand for most first responders.
"Some of the most compelling uses of broadband cited by officers were 3D views of floor plans, GIS information, and a host of web applications that can accelerate the identification process and provide valuable evidence, according to the survey," writes Donny Jackson.
A trial is running this week in Pinellas County of these applications on Alcatel-Lucent's hosted LTE core. Montanari notes that the trial does not indicate that the county has chosen its LTE vendor yet, but clearly it is one more agency that is gearing up for utilizing next generation technologies.
Read more at Urgent Communications.
Senin, 31 Oktober 2011
From the FCC
1. COUNTY OF GENESEE, NEW YORK AND SPRINT NEXTEL CORP. Denied Genesee's Motion for Stay for failure to meet established Commission criteria for issuance of a Stay. (Dkt No. 02-55 ). Action by: Deputy Chief, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.
Adopted: 10/28/2011 by ORDER. (DA No. 11-1808). PSHSB http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1808A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1808A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1808A1.txt
REDUCTIONS TO RURAL HEALTH CARE AND SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES OPERATIONAL
SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT. FCC approves cost reductions for USAC operational support services contract. Action by: Deputy Managing Director by LETTER. (DA No. 11-1801). OMD http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1801A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1801A1.txt
2. Released: 10/26/2011. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON REQUESTS FOR WAIVER OF THE JANUARY 1, 2013 VHF-UHF NARROWBANDING DEADLINE FILED BY ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MISSOURI, JEFFERSON COUNTY 9-1-1 DISPATCH BOARD AND. (DA No. 11-1784). (Dkt No 99-87 ) THE EAST-WEST GATEWAY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.
Comments Due: 11/10/2011. Reply Comments Due: 11/17/2011. PSHSB .
Contact: Roberto Mussenden at (202) 418-1428, email:
Roberto.Mussenden@fcc.gov, TTY: (202) 418-7233 http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1784A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1784A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1784A1.txt
3. Released: 10/20/2011. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES REGION 14 (INDIANA) PUBLIC SAFETY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEES TO HOLD 700 MHZ AND 800 MHZ NPSPAC MEETINGS. (DA No. 11-1746). (Dkt No. 90-178 ). PSHSB
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1746A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1746A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1746A1.txt
4. Released: 10/12/2011. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES COMMENT AND REPLY COMMENT DATES FOR THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING IN THE NEXT GENERATION 911 PROCEEDING. (DA No. 11-1703). (Dkt No 11-153 10-255 ). Comments Due: 12/12/2011. Reply Comments Due: 01/10/2012. PSHSB . Contact: Patrick Donovan at (202) 418-2413 http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1703A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1703A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1703A1.txt
Adopted: 10/28/2011 by ORDER. (DA No. 11-1808). PSHSB http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1808A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1808A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1808A1.txt
REDUCTIONS TO RURAL HEALTH CARE AND SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES OPERATIONAL
SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT. FCC approves cost reductions for USAC operational support services contract. Action by: Deputy Managing Director by LETTER. (DA No. 11-1801). OMD http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1801A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1801A1.txt
2. Released: 10/26/2011. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON REQUESTS FOR WAIVER OF THE JANUARY 1, 2013 VHF-UHF NARROWBANDING DEADLINE FILED BY ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MISSOURI, JEFFERSON COUNTY 9-1-1 DISPATCH BOARD AND. (DA No. 11-1784). (Dkt No 99-87 ) THE EAST-WEST GATEWAY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.
Comments Due: 11/10/2011. Reply Comments Due: 11/17/2011. PSHSB .
Contact: Roberto Mussenden at (202) 418-1428, email:
Roberto.Mussenden@fcc.gov, TTY: (202) 418-7233 http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1784A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1784A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1784A1.txt
3. Released: 10/20/2011. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES REGION 14 (INDIANA) PUBLIC SAFETY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEES TO HOLD 700 MHZ AND 800 MHZ NPSPAC MEETINGS. (DA No. 11-1746). (Dkt No. 90-178 ). PSHSB
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1746A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1746A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1746A1.txt
4. Released: 10/12/2011. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES COMMENT AND REPLY COMMENT DATES FOR THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING IN THE NEXT GENERATION 911 PROCEEDING. (DA No. 11-1703). (Dkt No 11-153 10-255 ). Comments Due: 12/12/2011. Reply Comments Due: 01/10/2012. PSHSB . Contact: Patrick Donovan at (202) 418-2413 http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1703A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1703A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1703A1.txt
Jumat, 14 Oktober 2011
FCC Names First ERIC Director
Bob Pavlak, RF and network engineering consultant for the District of Columbia has been appointed the FCC's first permanent director of the Emergency Response Interoperability Center (ERIC). 
The center was established to provide technical guidelines for the proposed 700 MHz broadband network for first responders. Pavlak, a 30 year telecommunications veteran, is head of Network CFI, an engineering management contractor for public safety broadeband projects in the D.C. area. His position officially starts November 7th.
Read more at MissionCritical Communications.
The center was established to provide technical guidelines for the proposed 700 MHz broadband network for first responders. Pavlak, a 30 year telecommunications veteran, is head of Network CFI, an engineering management contractor for public safety broadeband projects in the D.C. area. His position officially starts November 7th.
Read more at MissionCritical Communications.
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