Month: September 2016

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate, September 8, 2016

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New Hampshire Update: A Rivada Networks press release indicates that the State of New Hampshire has moved forward and awarded what is being called a no cost contract for building out the FirstNet spectrum in that state. This contract would only become effective in the event the governor chooses not to accept the FirstNet State Plan (not yet finalized or released by FirstNet). This, of course, is the state’s choice, though it is difficult to understand why the governor and executive council would prematurely close the door on their future options relative to FirstNet.

Forewarned is Forearmed: One item in the contract that I pointed out last week is very disturbing and that is the section that indicates the contractor (Rivada in this case) will assist the state in working with the FCC to convert the existing 700-MHz Land Mobile Radio (LMR) channels licensed to the state, to additional broadband spectrum. As mentioned, this move would end up causing a number of problems for the surrounding states in terms of interference, interoperability, and spectrum that is still needed for LMR services throughout the nation. Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2012 does provide for the possibility of conversion of the existing 700-MHz LMR spectrum to broadband use but I am not sure exactly what Congress had in mind when it added this provision to the law.

However, if and when this transition occurs, it needs to be nationwide and it needs to be something the Public Safety community wants. It could also be that the New Hampshire award and that particular statement in the contract are a pre-cursor of things to come. Suppose, for example, the same company that won the New Hampshire contract won the FirstNet contract. Suppose it then convinced Congress (using its newly acquired political clout) to repurpose the entire 700-MHz Public Safety band and fold it into FirstNet so it could have secondary access to a lot more spectrum than the 20-MHz of FirstNet’s licensed spectrum. Continue reading →

OEC Outreach: New P25 CAP Compliance Assessment Bulletins Released, Source Mission Critical Communications

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Seven new documents critical to the Project 25 (P25) Compliance Assessment Program (CAP) pushing forward with new product performance and interoperability testing were released. Following a transfusion of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) leadership and funding, new energy, additional staff, appointment of a well-qualified advisory panel (AP) and continued support from industry, the P25 CAP is showing signs of life, but much work remains. New P25 CAP Compliance Assessment Bulletins Released (9/6) – Mission Critical Communications

 

 

OEC Outreach Clips: FirstNet’s First Steps, Source GCN

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Four years after the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act created FirstNet as an independent government authority to provide communication services for public safety, the agency is preparing to award a contract in early November. Ahead of the award, GCN looks at FirstNet’s five Early Builder projects for lessons learned. Each Early Builder project signed a Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement that lets it access the public safety spectrum in the 700 MHz band. Focusing different aspects of first responder use, the projects will help FirstNet evaluate technical standards and capabilities, test new equipment and refine plans for future rollouts. FirstNet’s first steps (9/6) – GCN

 

FCC Announces Meeting of TFOPA

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Released:  09/06/2016.  FCC ANNOUNCES MEETING OF THE TASK FORCE ON OPTIMAL PSAP ARCHITECTURE SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 23, 2016. (DA No.  16-1010).  PSHSB . Contact:  Michael Connelly at (202) 418-0132, email: Michael.Connelly@fcc.gov or Timothy May at (202) 418-1463, email: Timothy.May@fcc.gov https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-16-1010A1.docx

https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-16-1010A1.pdf

FCC Approves Waiver of Some Technical Rules Applicable to UWB Devices

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1)   The FCC has approved a waiver of some of the technical rules applicable to ultra-wideband (UWB) devices to enable marketing and sale of a medical device by Kyma Medical Technologies Limited.  Kyma states that the uCor device is an advanced RF diagnostic tool that non-invasively monitors lung and fluid levels and trends to treat patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).  The device employs a very low power RF signal that is directed into the patient’s torso via a small transmitter that is temporarily attached to the skin. Signals from the uCor propagate through the chest and lungs and reflect back from the heart. Data collected by the uCor is transferred via standard wireless interface over the internet and on to a data center where it can be analyzed by a healthcare provider.  The extremely low power and low duty cycle device operates with stepped frequency modulation in 25 MHz steps across the 530 MHz to 2105 MHz spectrum.  NPSTC had supported the waiver grant when the FCC placed Kyma’s request on public notice.

KYMA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD/REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF PART 15 OF THE COMMISSION’S RULES APPLICABLE TO ULTRA-WIDEBAND DEVICES.   OET grants a request by Kyma Medical Technologies Ltd. (Kyma) to waive certain of our rules for unlicensed ultra-wideband (UWB) devices to permit the certification and marketing of its medical imaging and diagnostic device, the uCor 3.0 (uCor). (Dkt No.  15-119 ). Action by:  Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology. Adopted:  09/06/2016 by ORDER. (DA No. 16-1009).  OET  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-16-1009A1.pd

 

FirstNet Weekly Update to the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) – September 6, 2016

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FirstNet News

The FirstNet Federal Border Forum (Southwest) wrapped up on August 31st in Phoenix, Arizona.  The two-day event was attended by local, state, tribal and federal public safety stakeholders from the southwest border region.  The Departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security, Interior, and Justice were represented.  State and local representatives from Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas also participated, as well as regional tribes from the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, Salt River Pima, Ft. Mojave, Ft. McDowell, Navajo Nation, and Tonoho O’odam Nation.  Presentation topics included: FirstNet 101; agency operations along the border; Early Builder program updates from New Mexico, Harris County, and LA-RICS; and FirstNet-related technical subjects such as Radio Access Networks, devices, applications, and LTE standards.  As an adjunct to the Federal Border Forum, PSAC Chair Harlin McEwen had an introductory meeting with the recently appointed Chair and Vice-Chair of the PSAC Federal Working Group, who were both in attendance at the Forum. Continue reading →

S&T Snapshot: S&T’s Prepaid Card Reader Aids Law Enforcement in Seizing Fraudulent Cards

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U.S. law enforcement agencies have a powerful new tool at their disposal: The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate’s Electronic Recovery and Access to Data (ERAD) Prepaid Card Reader.

During arrests of criminal couriers, law enforcement officers rarely find bundles of cash wrapped in rubber bands anymore. Instead, they find stacks of plastic cards — bank credit and debit cards, retail gift cards, library cards, hotel card keys, even magnetic-striped Metrorail cards — that have been turned into prepaid cards.

A small, handheld device using wireless connectivity, the ERAD Prepaid Card reader enables law enforcement officers in the field to check the balance of cards. This information allows them to put a temporary hold on the linked funds until a full investigation can be completed. Using the ERAD Prepaid Card Reader, law enforcement officials have successfully seized or recovered suspicious cards loaded with approximately $10 million in fraudulent funds.

Interested in learning more? Read the full Snapshot Story. Do you have any questions about the publication? Please e-mail st.snapshots@hq.dhs.gov.

OEC Outreach Clips: Amateur Radio Operators Prepare for Hermine, Source FOX 30

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Amateur radio operators prepare for Tropical Storm Hermine

Many amateur radio operators are stepping in to help emergency workers during Tropical Storm Hermine.  The radio operators are volunteers who provide a variety of services, including emergency communications for state and federal agencies when storms hit.  With Tropical Storm Hermine making its way toward Florida, dozens of amateur radio operators are standing by.  “We certainly hope that we’re never needed, but we’re ready to go,” said Clay County Amateur Radio Emergency Services Training Officer Joe Bassett.  He said they are getting ready to answer the call if land lines, cell phones or the internet fail.

New Hampshire Authorities Table Rivada Action

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September 2, 2016–New Hampshire state authorities recently tabled a request to enter into a no-cost agreement with Rivada Networks LLC to have the company present an alternative state plan if New Hampshire decides to opt out of having the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet) partner build its radio access network (RAN). The request was unanimously tabled at an Aug. 24 meeting of New Hampshire Gov. Margaret Hassan (D.) and the New Hampshire Executive Council.

An Aug. 10 letter from New Hampshire Safety Commissioner John Barthelmes to Gov. Hassan and the council noted that once FirstNet presents plans to states, governors only have 90 days to opt out. “This no-cost agreement allows the vendor time to develop a workable alternative to serve NH responders statewide should the Governor choose to opt-out of the plan presented by FirstNet,” Mr.  Barthelmes said.

 New Hampshire issued a request for proposals (RFP) in late 2015 “requesting proposals for the establishment of a public-private partnership to develop a statewide public safety communications network aligned with the FirstNet network,” the letter noted. “A nine-member subcommittee evaluated the proposals and, of the five responding vendors, only two met the qualifications needed with Rivada Networks providing the best comprehensive and complete proposal response.” Continue reading →