An Evolving FirstNet System. In early January, the FirstNet Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) reached a milestone when the last U.S. territory opted in to FirstNet. This made it unanimous, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all territories. The FirstNet system is operational, and work continues on the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), the brains of the network. During much of this time FirstNet and AT&T have been considering how to best differentiate the government organization that is the First Responder Network Authority as set forth in Public Law 112-96, and the ecosystem that is the FirstNet NPSBN and the many components that go into it to create the FirstNet ecosystem.
So far, we have seen reference to FirstNet/AT&T in many articles and when AT&T and FirstNet are providing information. However, the ecosystem itself, consisting of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network, the Evolved Packet Core, devices, applications, and so much more is FirstNet, too. Here is where is gets tricky. FirstNet exists as an independent government authority within the Department of Commerce. Therefore, FirstNet, or what was officially created by Congress as the First Responder Network Authority, is a government agency and as such it is responsible for creating, awarding, and administering the contract for development and administration of the NPSBN. Simply stated, the First Responder Network Authority Board (with assistance from the FirstNet Authority staff) is responsible for setting and administering policy for the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network.
At this time, there is a need to differentiate the federal agency (the FirstNet Authority) from the actual public safety network or system now being built by AT&T, the FirstNet Authority contractor. On January 22, the FirstNet Authority and AT&T unveiled information that explains the new visual identity for FirstNet products and services by AT&T. Read the Entire Post Here
AT&T : Releases New FirstNet Branding – 4 Traders
Jan 24 08:50 AT&T announced a new branding effort for the First Responder Network Authority network products and services. AT&T FirstNet Senior Vice President Chris Sambar said the brand is rooted in…
AT&T : disputes Verizon`s FirstNet interconnection claims – 4 Traders
Jan 25 06:50 As services for the national public safety wireless broadband network start be deployed, FirstNet contractor AT&T and others are pushing back against claims about alternative services offered by Verizon . AT&T rival Verizon said it is working on an interconnection with the nationwide network that FirstNet …
How Illinois Is Addressing the T-Band Conundrum – MissionCritical
Jan 24 10:03 Bill Springer of Illinois’ First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) team outlines the state’s efforts to educate agencies about the UHF T-band spectrum giveback, which requires the FCC to auction the spectrum by 2021. read more
Vermilion County Emergency Management Agency official says verdict is still out on FirstNet – Chambana Sun
Jan 23 22:20 Illinois’ decision to join a nationwide federal enhanced wireless broadband network is “admirable and ambitious,” but some unknowns need to be worked out, a Vermilion County Emergency Management official said during a recent interview. “At the present time, we couldn’t anticipate what the system …
DuPage County official expects FirstNet to be invaluable to first responders – DuPage Policy Journal
Jan 23 22:15 Snow said he expects the platform to be invaluable during large scale events or at critical points where communications between public safety officials is vital. Cellular services become overloaded and internet-type services can be slowed, he said. FirstNet provides first responders with a reliable, …
AT&T, FirstNet cast doubt on rival’s participation – FCW.com
Jan 23 16:40 As FirstNet contractor AT&T begins rolling out services for the national wireless broadband network for first responders, it is pushing back against rival Verizon’s statements about alternate first responder offerings. Verizon’s claims to be working on interconnection with the National Public Safety …
FCC Says Mobile Broadband Not Full Substitute For Fixed, Vows To Hasten Broadband Deployment – RF Globalnet
Jan 23 13:10 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has reaffirmed that broadband deployment is the top priority to bridge the digital divide in America. The agency says its recent efforts to monitor and accelerate progress in both fixed and mobile services are consistent with its mandate under the 1996 …
Public Knowledge Files Comments Urging FCC to Improve Disaster Response to Damaged … – Public Knowledge Tech News and Comment
Jan 23 12:15 Yesterday, Public Knowledge filed comments on the Federal Communications Commission’s recent Public Notice on the agency’s 2017 hurricane season response efforts. The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau sought comments on how to improve the agency’s response to natural …
LMR licensing activity in the US reaches record-low levels in 2017, according to FCC database – Urgent Communications
Jan 18 02:40 Overall, the FCC has approved 13,430 applications that were submitted in 2017 for new and modified licenses in the public-safety and business-industrial arenas, based on ULS data available on Wednesday. Even if all 263 of the pending 2017 license applications were granted, the number of 2017 …
Senate to hold hearing on Hawaii false missile alert – Reuters
Jan 25 08:00 The Federal Communications Commission’s bureau chief overseeing public safety will testify at the hearing as will a senior vice president at a wireless …
Politico: new NTIA chief told Cruz he’d look into way to reverse ICANN handover – Domain Name Wire
Jan 24 22:30 A new report from Politico reveals that the new head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, David Redl, told Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee that he’d look into ways to reverse the U.S. government’s decision to end its IANA contract with ICANN. Cruz and Lee both opposed …
AT&T Designs New FirstNet Visual Identity – GovConWire
Jan 24 18:15 Chris Sambar, a senior vice president at AT&T, said in a blog post published Monday that the new logo serves to symbolize the interconnected public safety disciplines, highlight the FirstNet network’s purpose to serve first responders and represent the company’s role and commitment in the effort.
AT&T disputes Verizon’s FirstNet interconnection claims – GCN.com
Jan 24 16:40 As services for the national public safety wireless broadband network start be deployed, FirstNet contractor AT&T and others are pushing back against claims about alternative services offered by Verizon. AT&T rival Verizon said it is working on an interconnection with the nationwide network that FirstNet …
FirstNews Briefs: T-Mobile Closes Layer3 Acquisition, Final Territory Opts into FirstNet – Wireless Week
Jan 24 12:00 The Northern Mariana Islands recently became the 56th and final constituency to opt into the FirstNet public safety network. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and two Caribbean territories opted into the plan proposed by federal contractor AT&T by their deadline near the end of December. The Pacific …
T-Mobile launches plan for narrowband IoT – SAMENA Telecommunications Council
Jan 24 09:30 T-Mobile has announced the first nationwide plan for narrowband IoT (NB-IoT). The cost will be $6 per year, a fraction of the cost of similar plans offered by Verizon. T-Mobile’s plan uses narrowband technology to offer significantly lower costs for connecting IoT devices. They were the first wireless …
NetMotion Software Maintains Leadership in Public Safety Market – GlobeNewswire
Jan 24 08:40 … seamless roaming between broadband and Wi-Fi networks. It gives our officers the uninterrupted access to the mobile resources needed to serve and protect our community. NetMotion has proudly supported the public safety and government community for over 15 years, said Christopher Kenessey, …
Deutsche Telekom opens IoT innovation centre with IBM in Munich – Telecompaper
Jan 24 08:15 Deutsche Telekom has opened up a new Telekom IoT innovation space at IBM’s Watson IoT Center in Munich, where a Telekom IoT team will work closely with IBM experts to develop IoT and AI-based products based on the Lower Power Wide Area (LPWA) and NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT) standards.
AT&T Calls on Congress to Pass Net Neutrality Law – KTLA
Jan 24 05:50 U.S. broadband companies, including AT&T, Comcast, Verizon and Spectrum, have largely opposed the government’s past attempts to implement net neutrality regulation. For example, AT&T sued the FCC in 2015 in an attempt to block its net neutrality order that gave the government far more oversight …
Madison County first responders ‘excited’ for Illinois’ decision to join FirstNet, official says – Metro East Sun
Jan 23 21:00 … management professionals are enthusiastic about Illinois’ decision last month to join a nationwide federal-enhanced wireless broadband network, …
St. Clair County emergency director sees benefits in wireless network for first responders – Metro East Sun
Jan 23 21:00 Illinois is one of a handful of states to join FirstNet, a nationwide wireless broadband network boasting a nearly unlimited capacity for crucial first responder public-safety messages, according to its website. FirstNet (First Responder Network Authority) was created in 2012 when Congress acted on the …
Mutualink, Inc. Touts Success at FirstNet Road Shows – Business Wire
Jan 23 14:40 WALLINGFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, Mutualink, Inc., an interoperability solutions provider specializing in public safety communications, announced that they successfully participated in FirstNet kickoff events in five states: Arkansas, Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee, demonstrating …
News of NoteAT&T’s FirstNet logo, Verizon’s new Bogo and more – FierceWireless
Jan 23 13:25 AT&T has upped its partnership with Tech Mahindra to resell the telco’s FlexWare network product. FierceTelecom article. > Verizon reported a loss in video subscriptions in the fourth quarter, bleeding out 29,000 more Fios TV subscribers. FierceCable article. > Netflix just uncorked a blockbuster fourth …
AT&T Introduces FirstNet Visual Brand Representing the Organization’s Public Safety Dedication – ExecutiveBiz
Jan 23 10:10 AT&T has unveiled a new visual brand for the products and services of the First Responder Network Authority which was created to represent the latter organization’s commitment to supporting public safety. Chris Sambar, senior vice president at AT&T, said in a blog post published Monday the new logo …
FCC Proposes $500M for Rural Broadband – Light Reading
Jan 18 06:30 FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wants to reform the universal service fund.
FCC pushes for rural broadband – Brownfield
Jan 18 05:00 The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is calling for more high-speed broadband in rural areas. Ajit Pai says there needs to be more internet access in sparsely populated areas to close the digital divide. His order would provide more than $500 million to cooperatives and small rural carriers to build more online infrastructure, create new rules to prevent abuse and reform’s the FCC’s high-cost program. Continue reading FCC pushes for rural broadband at Brownfield Ag News.