Why Public Safety Devices Need a New SIM Card This week’s PSA is based on a question I hear nearly every day. It started when AT&T won the FirstNet contract and offered up its own LTE networks in addition to what it will build out on FirstNet Band 14 spectrum. AT&T is offering early opt-in state and territories (at least 11 so far) the use of its AT&T network on a priority access basis with full pre-emption on the entire AT&T LTE network by the start of 2018.

AT&T says it is easy to start using the AT&T network for public safety. Once a state has opted in, each public safety entity will decide if it wants to join the FirstNet system and become users on the AT&T broadband network. If the answer is yes and the pricing is acceptable to the agency, all that is needed, according to AT&T, is to install a new SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) into the mobile device to be instantly considered a public safety user on the AT&T network and on Band 14 as it is built over time.

The question about why you need to install a new SIM in your device is based on a number of factors. The most important of these is that the new SIM identifies the device (and the user) as a member of the public safety community. The network is then notified that when this device is on the network, in addition to normal AT&T capabilities, the user will have access to all additional capabilities and information being made available only to the FirstNet public safety community. The AT&T network and soon FirstNet Band 14 recognizes a user as a public safety user by the SIM in the device and the information it contains. Read the Entire Blog Here 

States cite network coverage concerns as FirstNet comments period closes – StateScoop Aug  9 17:35 The 45-day window for states to provide FirstNet feedback on its plans for a nationwide communications network for public safety closed Friday.

FCC auction to provide $2 billion for rural broadband – Brownfield Aug 10 05:00 The Federal Communications Commission says it will hold what it calls a “reverse auction” to provide nearly $2 billion over ten years to expand high-speed Internet access to rural areas that aren’t currently served. It’s the first time the FCC will use an auction to allocate Connect America Fund support for broadband and voice services in rural areas.   The FCC says the “reverse auction” ” to be underway in 2018 ” will enable the agency to expand rural broadband and voice services at a lower c

Montana Opts in to FirstNet – MissionCritical Aug  9 10:03 Montana Gov. Steve Bullock announced his decision to accept the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and AT&T state plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state’s public-safety community, making Montana the 12th state or territory to opt in to FirstNet. read more

Verizon Tries to Maintain Stake in Public Safety as FirstNet Opt-Ins Stack Up – Wireless Week Aug  9 07:30 AT&T may have been awarded the FirstNet build contract, but rival U.S. wireless carrier Verizon said it plans to continue offering public safety solutions …

AT&T CFO: FirstNet’s prioritized service for public safety ‘a challenge’ to net neutrality – FierceWireless Aug  8 17:30 … a highly secure wireless broadband communications network for Montana’s public safety community at no cost to the state for the next 25 years.

Montana joins FirstNet network – Telecompaper Aug  8 05:45 … and maintain a wireless broadband communications network for Montana’s public safety community at no cost to the state for the next 25 years.

Opinion: FCC needs to open airwaves so rural, tribal Americans have broadband access – The Mercury News Aug 10 09:20 94 percent of our internet traffic traverses Wi-Fi and home or business …

Sonim Helps Public Safety Get FirstNet-Ready at APCO 2017 – Cellular News Aug 10 08:15

FCC Proposes Retaining 25 Mbps Broadband Definition – MediaPost Communications Aug 10 01:00 The FCC also says it may, for the first time, set benchmarks for mobile …

Don’t worry the FCC doesn’t want a mobile broadband speed cap, just standards – Digital Trends Aug 10 00:30 Now mobile service providers like AT&T and Verizon are beefing up their unlimited data plans to accommodate the growing use of mobile internet …

Snap! FCC suggest mobile internet is enough and Disney plans streaming service – Spiceworks Community Aug 10 00:25 In its annual report on broadband availability, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggests that mobile internet via a smartphone may be …

Maybe Americans Don’t Need Fast Home Internet Service, FCC Suggests – Slashdot Aug  9 18:30 An anonymous reader shares an excerpt from a report via Ars Technica: Americans might not need a fast home Internet connection, the Federal Communications Commission suggests in a new document. Instead, mobile Internet via a smartphone might be all people need. The suggestion comes in the FCC’s annual inquiry into broadband availability. Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act requires the FCC to determine whether broadband (or more formally, “advanced telecommunications capability”) is being

FCC, Senate make moves to assist rural broadband – Agri-Pulse Aug  9 13:20 And fixed wireless providers that can efficiently serve remote areas. …

FCC Asks for Help Fixing Faulty Broadband Provider Data – Nextgov Aug  9 10:02 The agency wants to correct and refine information on broadband coverage in different areas of the country.

900 MHz NOI; Kari’s Law and MOBILE NOW; CAF II Reverse Auction; FCC Nominations; FirstNet … – The National Law Review Aug  8 13:15 New Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Michigan, and Maine all opted-in to the FirstNet/AT&T plan for a nationwide public safety network. Michigan had been …

Dems fightin’ words! FCC’s net neutrality murder plot torn apart – The Register Aug  8 06:00 Illegal, ill-conceived, flawed. You eejit, Ajit A group of 11 Congressmen and women have torn into plans to get rid of America’s net neutrality rules in a scathing letter [PDF] sent to US broadband watchdog the FCC.…

Broad-Based Coalition Applauds FCC for New Mid-Band Spectrum Notice of Inquiry – Business Wire Aug  3 10:10 SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A broad-based coalition praised the FCC for beginning an initiative to enable wireless broadband in mid-band spectrum.