This past week, FirstNet published its final version of the meanings of the terms and definitions in the law that created FirstNet and provided the needed broadband spectrum. Sometimes this “what did Congress really mean by this word or phrase” is provided by Congressional staffers after a law is passed but this was not done in this case. So FirstNet asked for comments from Public Safety, the vendor community, and other interested parties. It asked for input on two different occasions and this past week we saw the results of its findings.
As I mentioned previously, the most important ruling made by FirstNet is that states that opt out cannot use any funds derived from user fees or secondary user lease agreements for their own state’s purposes. The funds must be used to expand, manage, and operate the network. This one ruling will have a positive impact on Public Safety, FirstNet, and perhaps some vendors that have been sitting on the fence wondering if they should file a response to the RFP when it is released in late December. One of the concerns I kept hearing from potential bidders is that if a number of states opt out, perhaps even states that have major metro areas where the secondary spectrum is more valuable, the value of the RFP to the vendor is diminished. The spectrum has the most value for those bidding in major metro areas and if the network is one contiguous network from both a First Responder and a secondary user point of view. FirstNet changed the RFP rules so the responses can only be for a nationwide system and now has limited the way in which states might have access to any funds raised within their state, both of which are good news. I believe some states have been led to believe that if they do opt out they will be permitted to keep the funds realized for their portion of the network.
I have heard from some sources within state governments and who are involved with FirstNet that some states have been promised $millions of dollars in revenue that would be derived from the network if they opted out and permitted this company or that company to build the network and manage it for them. The ruling by FirstNet stops the spread of misinformation once and for all and should limit the number of states that opt out since there is no longer any financial reward to do so.
This coming week in Chicago is the International Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference. I will be attending, meeting with various organizations, vendors, and others, and of course wandering the show floor looking for new and innovative products that might enhance Public Safety’s capabilities on both existing commercial broadband networks and FirstNet as it is built out. I hope to run into a number of you there. Have a great weekend and if you are traveling to IACP, travel safely! Andy
FirstNet’s latest legal interpretations make opt-out alternative less appealing to states, territories – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts Oct 20 13:30 Under the current law, every state and territory will be part of the nationwide public-safety broadband network overseen by FirstNet. For states and …
FirstNet Releases Dozens of Final Interpretations – National Public Safety Telecommunications Council – NPSTC via Google Alerts Oct 16 22:15 The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) today released two public notices …
FCC to Require Backup Power for all 911 Communications Operations – Targeted News Service via Google Alerts Oct 16 11:55 Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Linda M. Pintro, at (202) …
5G mobile broadband may use 71GHz spectrum to hit multi-gigabit speeds – Tech Investor News via Google Alerts Oct 23 06:40 FCC drawing up rules to encourage use of frequencies above 24GHz. The Federal Communications Commission is drawing up rules for extremely …
When will FirstNet be deployed? – RCR Wireless News via Google Alerts Oct 22 15:31 When networks go down or get overloaded it can be a huge public safety …
FCC Proposes Rules for 5G Network – Wall Street Journal via Google Alerts Oct 22 13:50 Exclusive-use licensing has proven to attract investment in mobile broadband while also sparking wide-spread innovation, the trade group argued in …
Analysts still backing FirstNet/Verizon partnership ‘conspiracy theory’ – FierceWireless via Google Alerts Oct 22 13:25 Verizon’s existing 700 MHz spectrum is compatible with the public safety network’s upper 700 MHz block spectrum, Schildkraut pointed out. In addition …
Driving Public Safety Broadband Through the Convergence of LMR and LTE Networks, Devices … – Officer.com via Google Alerts Oct 21 19:30 Public safety agencies, which continue to rely on Land Mobile Radio (LMR) for mission critical communications, have, for background, administrative …
Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program – Government Grants for Individuals via Google Alerts Oct 21 13:40 National Telecommunications And Information Administration – To assist public safety agencies in the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the …
Kennedy: FirstNet Pleased with FCC Auction Anti-Collusion Guidance – National Public Safety Telecommunications Council – NPSTC via Google Alerts Oct 21 01:40 First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) President TJ Kennedy said on October 19 that the authority is pleased with guidance that FCC staff …
Calgary Police Test Public Safety LTE Network Operated by Motorola Solutions – Radio Resource via Google Alerts Oct 20 16:55 The government will allocate another 10 megahertz of 700 MHz spectrum to enable the creation of a public-safety broadband network. Canadian …
Three-point plan to upgrade IT systems for police to tackle terror – The Australian via Google Alerts Oct 20 07:50 A DEDICATED public safety mobile broadband capability through the allocation of 20 MHz of spectrum specifically for public safety agencies.
FirstNet Encourages Satellite Companies to Help Build US Public Safety Network – SupremeSAT via Google Alerts Oct 20 05:55 Telecommunications providers large and small are expected to participate in launching the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN).
FirstNet; High Band Spectrum; 4.9 GHz; Broadband; FCC Enforcement – Vol XII, Issue 42 – The National Law Review via Google Alerts Oct 19 16:10 The band currently is available to public safety entities under certain circumstances. APCO argued that …
FCC sets opening prices for the world’s most complex and mind-numbing spectrum auction – TelecomTV via Google Alerts Oct 19 11:40 … forward auction which is when mobile broadband providers make their bids for the released UHF spectrum, in the mobile-friendly 600MHz band.
Presentation To The Board Firstnet Nationwide Network Fnn – Best PDF and Doc Database via Google Alerts Oct 19 07:01 Presentation To The Board Firstnet Nationwide Network Fnn. Roy mcclellan [roy.mcclellan@cassidiancommunications.com] fri 11/9/2012 4:58 pm.
- FirstNet Network i. Elements of the Network – Regulations.gov via Google Alerts Oct 16 22:15 We also concur with FirstNet’s preliminary conclusion that …
Are 9-1-1 Dispatchers First Responders? – Officer.com via Google Alerts Oct 16 03:30 The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) recently announced they would be pursuing a change. Not an unusual task for an …
Industry Day – Public Safety Wireless Broadband Pilot Project – Central Minnesota Radio via Google Alerts Oct 16 01:40 Special panel session on public safety broadband LTE pilot network following monthly Statewide Emergency Communications Board (SECB) meeting.
What net neutrality means for Netflix, AT&T, Time Warner and you – Technology Insider via Google Alerts Oct 23 09:25 For this reason, mobile broadband or internet access from any mobile device was included in the FCC’s recently adopted net neutrality proposal, …
House Communications Panel Plans Two Broadband-Related Hearings – National Public Safety Telecommunications Council – NPSTC via Google Alerts Oct 22 23:55 National Public Safety Telecommunications Council. This Just In …
5G mobile broadband may use 71GHz spectrum to hit multi-gigabit speeds – BrunchNews via Google Alerts Oct 22 21:25 FCC drawing up rules to encourage use of frequencies above 24GHz. – BrunchNews.
FCC – FCC Takes Steps to Facilitate Mobile Broadband and Next Generation Wireless … – Colorado Media.Net via Google Alerts Oct 22 14:40 From the FCC: FCC Takes Steps to Facilitate Mobile Broadband and Next Generation Wireless Technologies in Spectrum Above 24 GHz The FCC …
FCC – Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Extends 800 MHz Application Freeze for … – Colorado Media.Net via Google Alerts Oct 22 14:11 From the FCC: Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Extends 800 MHz Application Freeze for NPSPAC Region 43 (Washington State) …
APCO Report Offers Suggestions to Increase 4.9 GHz Band Use – National Public Safety Telecommunications Council – NPSTC via Google Alerts Oct 22 03:40 The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International 4.9 GHz task force submitted a report to the FCC that discusses how …
NTIA Sends Twenty-Fifth Quarterly Status Report to Congress Regarding BTOP – Benton Foundation via Google Alerts Oct 22 03:30 The National Telecommunications and Information Administration sent to Congress this Quarterly Report on the status of the Broadband Technology …
1 Agenda US Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information … – National Telecommunications and Information Administration – Department of Commerce via Google Alerts Oct 22 03:30 National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). October 21, 2015 Multistakeholder Meeting. Privacy, Transparency, and …
NTIA Holds 3rd Drone Privacy Meeting – Aviation Today via Google Alerts Oct 21 15:10 The National Telecommunications and Information Admin. is holding its third of four public stakeholder meetings today to discuss best practices for …
Let common sense fly high when creating rules for UAVs – The Hill via Google Alerts Oct 21 15:10 Much of this work is being done as part of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) multi-stakeholder process. The NTIA …
Ericsson Expects 4G for the Machines in 2016 – Communications Today via Google Alerts Oct 21 13:45 (See Ericsson, LG Uplus Team for 5G, IoT, Ericsson, Intel, Nokia Back New Narrowband LTE IoT Spec and 3GPP Makes Progress on Crucial LTE IoT …
FCC fines GCI $620500 for communications tower violations – KTVA.com – Alaska News and Weather via Google Alerts Oct 20 20:30 Unregistered and unlit towers pose unacceptable risks to air and public safety, Travis LeBlanc, Chief of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, said in a …
AT&T, Verizon probed: ‘No escape from biz broadband packages’ – The Register via Google Alerts Oct 20 16:01 The FCC is probing AT&T and Verizon over claims the telcos are locking companies into expensive business broadband contracts. The US regulator …
spcification Power Lines – Review Product Inc via Google Alerts Oct 20 11:50 Overview : Power Line Communications: Theory and Applications for Narrowband and Broadband Communications over Power Lines. Brand:
Strike Antennas upgrade to 700 MHz band – CSO Australia via Google Alerts Oct 20 05:55 With 700 MHz, the evolution of voice calling has just been enabled across different networks through the launch of voice over LTE (VoLTE). VoLTE …
On Enterprise Broadband, The FCC Can’t Leave Well Enough Alone – Forbes via Google Alerts Oct 19 16:10 Such services constitute the middle mile of the Internet, and include dedicated business-to-business access as well as backhaul for mobile networks …
FCC Chairman Welcomes New Legal Advisors – Radio World via Google Alerts Oct 19 13:25 … legal advisor for media, enforcement and public safety issues, and Edward Smitty Smith will serve as legal advisor for wireless telecommunications …