My favorite convention and conference is IWCE, which will be held next week in Las Vegas. I was supposed to participate on a few panels and attend some meetings but unfortunately a family medical emergency will keep me from attending this year. I really enjoy this show because it is large enough to attract the best exhibitors and the best of the best in attendees, and it has always been focused on, dare I say, “two-way radio,” which has now morphed into Land Mobile Radio like cellular phones have morphed into wireless broadband over time. The list of exhibitors includes longtime supporters of the show: Motorola, Harris, JVC Kenwood, Icom, Tait, and others. There are antenna companies, mobile mount companies, and now video devices and body-worn cameras, and because FirstNet is broadband and not LMR, you will see the likes of Cisco and AT&T (a long time Public Safety supporter), PTT over LTE and 3G companies such as ESChat and Kodiak, General Dynamics, and many others that may have their eye on the FirstNet RFP.
The exhibit hall is open Wednesday and Thursday and the sessions run Monday through Friday. There is something for everyone there and I have to tell you if you are involved in LMR this is the one place to go to find out more about the future of LMR, the future of FirstNet, and perhaps if they have a future together. I will miss the event and the people I wanted to spend time with along with the side conversations that are oftentimes more important than any of the others. I will also miss the great sessions that have been planned and will be presented by experts in the many fields selected. This is truly a place to go to become fully immersed in LMR.
If you are a cellular type feeling on the outside of FirstNet, why and what Public Safety wants to do with LTE, and what it is using today, there is no better venue than this to get up to speed. For more than twenty years we conducted our Wireless Data University during the CTIA shows. We “graduated” more than 10K people who came to us and were wireless voice savvy but not having a clue about data, broadband, and the implications. We gave them eight hours of training, and company after company sent their new hires to us each year to learn about what was coming next. IWCE is, to me, the broadband university of the LMR community and it will help everyone understand the differences between what LMR can and cannot do and what LTE can do today and perhaps what it might be able to do in the future.
Next, the 3GPP (the LTE standards body) has approved the standard for Mission-Critical Push-To-Talk or MCPTT over LTE and it will be included in release 13 of the LTE standard. This does not mean every LTE network in the world will suddenly support MCPTT over LTE. Each operator usually reviews each new release of LTE and picks and chooses what it wants to include in its own networks. If another standard becomes popular, it may then opt to add that or not. This can create some interesting differences between one network and another and it means FirstNet and its chosen vendor as well as any states that opt out will have to work diligently to ensure that with each new release the same options are available across the entire network. This could also create some issues for roaming on the existing commercial networks that may or may not have adopted some of the same options FirstNet has chosen. If that sounds familiar, take a look back at LMR when one vendor or another offered options not available by another in an attempt and hold its customers captive. Hopefully we will not see the same trend within FirstNet.
My final comment is one I have made before, and I have added it to the news story below that announces the approval of the standard for MCPTT. I see several issues. I have not seen the spec but if it is to work it must be as flexible as PTT over P25 and Analog LMR with all of the group, one-to-one, and one-to-many functionality. I hope it is, but besides that, declaring something like MCPTT to be mission-critical when you cannot say existing LTE networks are mission-critical seems to be addressing only one-half of the issue. Yes, it is mission-critical as long as the cell site you are closet to is up and connected to the network. However, if it goes down it doesn’t matter what you call it, MCPTT won’t work today! The ultimate solution has to provide a hardened LTE network with fallback modes so if a cell or a group of cells is offline, the people who need to communicate can do so.
Most LMR systems have what I consider to be graceful degradation, that is, there are multiple modes of operation and the final one is simplex communications (peer-to-peer for you IT folks) that provides one-to-one and one-to-many voice communications over some pretty impressive distances. So MCPTT is not MCPTT simply because a standards organization says it is. It becomes MCPTT or Public Safety Grade PTT when the network can be down, cell sites are not connected to the back-end of the network, and those in the field can still talk to each other and get their job done. I won’t believe PTT over LTE is Public Safety Grade until a police or fire chief says he or she will trust the lives of his or her officers and boots on the street to PTT over LTE, and I believe that will be many years into the future. Until then, PTT over LTE is only best-effort PTT as far as I am concerned. I will miss seeing many of you at IWCE but I will be there in spirit! Andy
3GPP approves standard for mission-critical PTT (MCPTT) over LTE in Release 13 – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts Mar 15 21:15 In January, FirstNet released its request for proposal (RFP) for offerors to bid on the right to build and maintain a nationwide public-safety broadband …
FirstNet Announces Up to $40 Million Available for the Band 14 Incumbent Spectrum Relocation … – Lexology via Google Alerts Mar 18 12:15 It’s a busy time at FirstNet, gearing up for the deployment of the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN). With yesterday’s release of a …
Sweden may use 700 MHz spectrum for emergency services – Telecompaper via Google Alerts Mar 18 09:10 The existing network, with a 10 Mbps speed for 77 percent of Swedish territory, would be suitable for emergency response agencies, it said. As PTS is …
Tech Talk: 3GPP Makes Major Progress with MCPTT – FirstNet via Google Alerts Mar 17 23:10 … public safety users of the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) in the …
FirstNet Launches Tumblr, Seeking Stories Of Public Safety Broadband Use – DigitalGov via Google Alerts Mar 17 22:30 FirstNet is a relatively new startup federal government agency with the mission of building, operating and maintaining a broadband network for the …
FirstNet moves forward with strategic roadmap – FierceGovernmentIT via Google Alerts Mar 17 22:15 The next phase of the First Responder Network Authority’s Strategic …
Obama recommends extending phone subsidy to broadband – Examiner Gazette via Google Alerts Mar 17 16:00 FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has said he wants to give those receiving the subsidy a choice of using it for phone services, high-speed Internet, or both …
FirstNet Continues Momentum Toward Network Deployment With New Strategic Roadmap … – FirstNet via Google Alerts Mar 17 14:20 … to the initial deployment of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). FirstNet leadership highlighted these Roadmap milestones …
FirstNet outlines plans, launches spectrum relocation grants – Telecompaper via Google Alerts Mar 17 06:50 The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), the organisation tasked by the US government to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of …
FirstNet Reviewing Strengths and Weaknesses of RFP Respondents Next Month – Newsoneplace.com via Google Alerts Mar 17 06:15 Source: APCO – Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International Inc) By Stephen Martini Members of the FirstNet Board will review.
Here are some ideas to keep in mind to get the most out of IWCE 2016 – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts Mar 17 05:15 … presented by FirstNet CEO Michael Poth, will provide an update on the state of FirstNet and the nationwide public-safety broadband network.
FCC Chief of Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau: 9-1-1 Must Remain Tailored to Serve … – Public Safety Communications – APCO International via Google Alerts Mar 16 22:20 Regarding the ESInet, Simpson said cyber security needs to be the largest concern for public safety networks and a statewide network had to be …
APTS Members Pledge to Support FirstNet; NPR Is Involved – Radio magazine via Google Alerts Mar 16 15:50 APTS will run the Public Media Public Safety Coordination, which will also …
Building a public safety broadband network the US experience – CriticalComms via Google Alerts Mar 14 14:20 With overwhelming support from the public safety community, the US Congress passed legislation in 2012 to establish the First Responder Network …
FCC Unveils Internet Privacy Proposal – Newsmax via Google Alerts Mar 11 10:02 The FCC has new authority to set privacy rules after it reclassified broadband providers last year as part of new net neutrality regulations. A federal …
Parallel Wireless and Ecosystem Partners Announce General Availability of FirstNet-Ready Band … – SYS-CON Media via Google Alerts Mar 18 11:10 U.S. Public Safety agencies can win a week’s rental of this DIY Band 14-in-a-Box kit by submitting their interest here or at Parallel Wireless booth 227 …
House member wants ‘enforceable’ Charter-TWC merger terms – xmlpush Mar 18 08:45 House Judiciary Committee ranking member Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) has appealed to the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department about implementing “durable and easily enforceable” merger terms between Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable. The $55 billion deal is now expected to be approved after it was reported that FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler could circulate a draft order for the deal this week. Conditions of the merger hinge on broadband buildouts and access…
Raveon Technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) at the IWCE Trade Show in Las Vegas – PR Web via Google Alerts Mar 18 04:15 For many of these applications, Raveon’s narrow-band data radio modems …
FCC, States Square Off in Court Over Municipal Broadband – Broadcasting & Cable via Google Alerts Mar 17 23:00 The FCC majority in that decision said the agency had the power and the duty to step in when states were limiting broadband buildouts.
Consulting Firm Calls NPSTC 4.9 GHz Band Proposal Flawed – National Public Safety Telecommunications Council – npstc via Google Alerts Mar 17 20:40 Presidential Partners Consulting has told the FCC that a 4.9 gigahertz band proposal submitted by the National Public Safety Telecommunications …
Tennessee claims state sovereignty violated as FCC hearing begins – xmlpush Mar 17 15:00 Attorney Joshua Turner opened up the arguments for Tennessee in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday morning with a shot directly at the FCC. “The case before this court is not about telecommunications policy or the merits of municipal broadband,” said Turner, “but whether or how the federal government can intercede between a state and its municipal subdivisions.” Turner argued that the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to allow Chattanooga’s municipal broadband…
Charter-Time Warner Cable merger likely to be approved: Wall Street Journal – xmlpush Mar 17 11:45 A new report says the Federal Communications Commission will likely approve Charter Communications’ $55 billion deal to purchase Time Warner Cable. That’s according to the Wall Street Journal, which said FCC chairman Tom Wheeler could distribute a draft order this week concerning the deal. The order is expected to include online-related conditions, such as access to online video programming and overbuilding broadband plant. Commissioners would still have to vote on the proposal, but by…
Z-Coordinate, WiFi Access Points Lead Location Accuracy Technology Talks – Public Safety Communications – APCO International via Google Alerts Mar 17 09:01 That was the message underscored multiple times Tuesday, March 15, during the first day of Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials …
Apco P25 Phase 2 Tdma – ZuLar via Google Alerts Mar 16 23:30 APCO P25 Phase Two TDMA for Public Safety Phil Sidebottom Motorola …
APCO International Announces Recipients of 2016 Leadership in Policy Awards – Public Safety Communications – APCO International via Google Alerts Mar 16 20:40 Alexandria, VA The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announces the recipients of its prestigious 2016 …
Anite and Bittium Bring Combined Drive Test Solution to US Public Safety LTE Networks – MarketWatch via Google Alerts Mar 16 10:20 With FirstNet, the US public safety community is shifting from proprietary wireless networks and device technologies to mainstream 4G/LTE. This sets …
new jersey btop 700 mhz – ZuLar via Google Alerts Mar 16 06:20 New Jersey BTOP 700 MHz Public Safety LTE Project …
National Telecommunications And Information Administration Authorization – wewisynuh.ru via Google Alerts Mar 16 02:25 National Telecommunications And Information Administration Authorization: Hearing Before The Subcommittee On Communications Of The …
IWCE 2016: NetMotion Wireless to Discuss FirstNet Hot-Buttons: Local Control, Prioritization and … – IT Business Net via Google Alerts Mar 15 14:15 Fallin has extensive experience in network security product and program …
Moody’s: FCC’s privacy proposal would ‘handicap’ cable operators – FierceCable via Google Alerts Mar 15 13:50 … mobile broadband providers,” Moody’s said in a report titled “FCC’s broadband privacy proposal credit negative for linear TV and wireless providers.
700 MHz band confirmed for mobile broadband use – Digital Spy Forums via Google Alerts Mar 15 09:15 i know this probably sounds stupid but why not finish 2g altogether then use them frequencies for more 4g? that would then leave 700-800 free to …
SoftBank waves cash at FCC’s broadband spectrum bonanza – El Reg Forums – The Register via Google Alerts Mar 15 05:25 According to a report from financial news service CTFN, SoftBank, based in Japan, is reportedly mulling a run at the upcoming 600 Mhz auction.
FCC Chairman Circulates Draft Broadband Privacy Rules – Lexology via Google Alerts Mar 14 07:10 … security standard, and establish common-sense data breach notification requirements including requiring that broadband providers notify affected …
FCC Chief Wants Broadband Providers To Obtain Consent For Ad Targeting – MediaPost Communications via Google Alerts Mar 11 11:10 For instance, if Verizon wanted to market its wireless service to a customer who already subscribed to Verizon FiOS, Verizon would only need that …
The Dragonslayer: An Interview With FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler – Re/code via Google Alerts Mar 11 02:20 The host of Last Week Tonight had set his sights on the then-raging net neutrality debate, acerbically calling out broadband providers like Comcast …