The final FCC Commissioners vote on Net Neutrality will be held on February 26, 2015. But many reporters, ISPs, commercial network providers, and almost anybody else with a pulse is weighing in before the vote. Lost in the issue is that if the FCC is to reclassify Broadband as a Title II service is that the FCC Chairman has stated it won’t be under today’s Title II but a new, revised version that will bring it up to date. So nobody really knows the outcome until both the vote and the new version of Title II are made public.
The main LTE standards body is the 3GPP and it has issued a statement that says it will have an established standard for Mission-Critical PTT Voice over LTE in early 2016 and that it will be included in LTE release 12 along with some other Mission-Critical core functionality. I am still skeptical about LTE being mission-critical at all, let alone for PTT Voice. I have not seen any details on these specifications, and don’t know how they mesh with the Public Safety Grade document NPTSC submitted to the FirstNet Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC).
I also don’t know if anyone has figured out how many PTT users can be in a single cell sector at a time, which is vitally important since most incidents will take place within a single cell sector or two and the number of PTT users within a sector can impact how many PTT conversations can be held AND how much sector capacity will be left for data and video services. I still believe, as do most of those within the Public Safety community I have discussed this with, that Land Mobile Radio (LMR) PTT voice will remain the true mission-critical voice service for Public Safety for many years, if for no other reason than the fact that FirstNet will not be able to match the coverage of today’s LMR systems for a very long time.
In reality, none of the commercial operators match the LMR coverage today and they have spent many $billions more than FirstNet presently has allocated to build out its coverage. I would be comfortable with administrative grade, secondary PTT over LTE but pushing too fast for mission-critical PTT can only cause two types of problems. One is funding allocation problems for existing LMR systems and the second is a false sense by some that Mission-Critical LTE PTT will simply appear on the scene and be immediately viable. Have a great 3-day weekend if you are lucky enough to have Monday off, and enjoy Valentine’s Day with your loved ones. Andy
Wheeler: Expect a Modernized Title II, Not the Hybrid Approach – Wireless Week via Google Alerts Feb 11 21:25 Wheeler confirmed last week the widespread expectation that the FCC would redefine broadband as a communications service under Title II. He has …
Republicans Mount Multi-Pronged Attack on Net Neutrality Rule Changes As FCC Vote Looms – GamePolitics via Google Alerts Feb 12 18:20 In less than two weeks the Federal Communications Commission will vote whether to reclassify broadband and mobile service providers as common …
NTIA, FCC Explore Spectrum-Sharing Model Project – MissionCritical Communications, Radio Resource International, and Public Safety Report … via Google Alerts Feb 12 10:20 NTIA, FCC Explore Spectrum-Sharing Model Project (2/11/15) The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the FCC …
Muni broadband providers clash over Title II Net neutrality reforms – InfoWorld Feb 12 09:01 Nothing comes easy in the Net neutrality battle. Take how different municipal broadband providers disagree over FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s proposal to reclassify broadband providers as public utilities under Title II of the Telecommunications Act. Some municipalities oppose Wheeler’s plan, while others back it. The plan is set for a vote before the five-member Federal Communications Commission on Feb. 26. [ Get your websites up to speed with HTML5 today using the techniques in InfoWorld’s HTML5 Deep Dive PDF how-to report. | Get the latest insight on the tech news that matters from InfoWorld’s Tech Watch blog . ] Municipal broadband providers who oppose…
Pacific DataVision announces MOTOTRBO as narrowband technology, begins – The Financial Sun via Google Alerts Feb 12 07:20 Pacific DataVision announces MOTOTRBO as narrowband technology, begins …
Sprint Calls AT&T, Verizon’s Bluff on Telecom Investment – Phone Scoop via Google Alerts Feb 11 21:35 AT&T and Verizon have warned the FCC that strict regulation of broadband is likely to decrease investment and harm consumers in the long term.
Federal Grant Cuts Could Affect Local First Responders – News5 Live via Google Alerts Feb 11 18:40 Thousands of volunteer fire fighters and first responders could soon be affected, after Congress passed a bill last year that only funds the Department …
FCC Proposes New 800 MHz Interstitial Rules for Private LMR Licensees – MissionCritical Communications, Radio Resource International, and Public Safety Report … via Google Alerts Feb 11 10:45 … response to a petition for rulemaking filed by the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA). The proposal creates the opportunity for 319 additional voice-grade channels for use by public safety, business/industrial, general category and …
Wall Street Knows Darn Well That FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules Won’t Harm Broadband – Beacon via Google Alerts Feb 11 09:20 For all the hype over how having the FCC reclassify broadband under Title II would lead to tremendous harms to the big broadband players, it appears …
FCC Proposes ‘Strongest Ever’ Net Neutrality Plan – FGGAM.org. via Google Alerts Feb 11 06:20 FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler confirmed that his net neutrality rules will move to regulate broadband as a telecom service rather than an information …
MissionCritical Communications, Radio Resource International, and Public Safety Report – 74.63.161 via Google Alerts Feb 10 21:55 Senator Introduces FCC Reform Legislation (2/10/15) Sen. Dean Heller introduced legislation affecting FCC process reform, following a similar bill …
Net Neutrality May Be Here to Stay, No Thanks to GOP Efforts – Huffington Post Feb 6 15:15 After months of what seemed like endless amounts of money and ignorant comments from politicians receiving said money from Internet Service Providers to squash net neutrality, it looks like there’s some hope on the horizon. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, the internet may remain the wild frontier of free expression and innovation it was originally intended to be. Net neutrality is the idea that Internet service providers (like Comcast and Verizon) should treat all web content equally. Net neutrality supporters think Internet service should operate like electricity. Consumers pay a fee to an…
FCC Chief’s plan saves net neutrality as AT&T gears up to sue – Network World Fusion Feb 6 11:37 Even before FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler wrote “This is how we will ensure net neutrality” on Wired, proposing that the FCC use its Title II authority to implement and enforce open internet protections, AT&T was gearing up to sue the FCC. Today Wheeler said: Using this authority, I am submitting to my colleagues the strongest open internet protections ever proposed by the FCC. These enforceable, bright-line rules will ban paid prioritization, and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services. I propose to fully apply”for the first time ever”those bright-line rules to mobile broadband. My proposal assures the rights…
Cooperation wins the day on new 9-1-1 rules – The Hill via Google Alerts Feb 6 10:40 And fortunately, many aspects of the public safety roadmap were incorporated into the FCC’s final rules on this matter. As the use of cell phones and …
Sen. Shaheen says Homeland Security showdown could impact first responders – The Union Leader via Google Alerts Feb 6 02:50 Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., voted for the funding bill that previously passed the House of Representatives. It would fund Homeland Security through the end …
999/Blue Light Seminar 20th March 2015 – British APCO via Google Alerts Feb 13 15:11 British APCO: Knowledge Exchange for Public Safety Communications …
Silent Key: Past President Sam Gargaro (APCO – Association of Public-Safety Communications … – World News via Google Alerts Feb 13 15:11 Source: APCO – Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International Inc) Sam Gargaro, Past President of APCO International …
FCC must exempt smaller ISPs from Title II tsunami – The Hill via Google Alerts Feb 13 10:25 Broadband Internet providers represented by the American Cable Association support an open Internet. The Federal Communications Commission …
Net neutrality: Growing flames of criticism lick FCC chief’s secret plans – The Register Feb 13 06:01 Washington Post and Internet Innovation Alliance oppose Title II regulation of broadband – As the big vote on new net neutrality rules draws close, opposition to the FCC chairman’s plan to reclassify broadband under so-called Title II legislation is growing.
Outreach & Education – LTE via Google Alerts Feb 13 05:11 Objective. In 2013, the Texas Public Safety Broadband Program (TxPSBP) received funding through the National Telecommunications and Information …
6 Technology Trends Affecting Public Safety in 2015 – NICE Systems via Google Alerts Feb 13 03:50 While FirstNet and public safety broadband are primarily a resource for first responders, PSAPs will also feel the impact. FirstNet will enable 9-1-1 …
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International – Search – 451 Research via Google Alerts Feb 13 00:50 LTE is poised to serve as the dominant mobile data communications technology serving the US public safety community. FirstNet was created by an …
Sunsight Instruments Commends FCC on Location Accuracy Ruling for Wireless E911 Systems – NEWS.GNOM.ES via Google Alerts Feb 12 22:10 … Sunsight believes that improved location accuracy requirements for Wireless E911 systems will better protect the public and allow public safety First …
The Network – LTE via Google Alerts Feb 12 21:10 It is responsible for the deployment and operation of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). The NPSBN will provide fully …
Service Rules Governing Public Safety Narrowband Operations – FCC via Google Alerts Feb 12 17:20 Narrowband Operations in the 769-775/799-805 MHz Bands. PS Docket No. 13-87, PS Docket No. 06-229, WT Docket No. 96-86, RM-11433, and.
Expanding LTE Networks Boosting Public Safety Device Usage Worldwide – TechNavio via Google Alerts Feb 12 16:20 Public safety LTE, a next-generation cellular technology, is used to build a nationwide public safety broadband network. Public safety LTE relies on the …
APCO Releases Standard Revision for Public Review and Comment – Public Safety Communications – APCO International via Google Alerts Feb 12 12:50 Alexandria, VA The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has released a standard revision for public review …
Germany gets approval to use 700 MHz for fast internet connections – Mobile World Live via Google Alerts Feb 12 12:35 At the moment, only 20 per cent of the country’s rural areas have access to wireless broadband. The government has also given the green light to an …
Republican senator criticises ‘terrible’ FCC plans to regulate web – Guardian Feb 12 06:03 Senate commerce committee chair John Thune said proposals were being pushed an ‘increasingly imperious president’ and would stifle innovation The US government is on a path to have “virtually unlimited power” to regulate every aspect of the internet, the chairman of the powerful Senate commerce committee said Wednesday.Republican senator John Thune slammed the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) plans to introduce sweeping new powers to regulate the broadband industry, saying they would stifle innovation and create a “Mother may I” system for regulating the internet.
City broadband ISPs: PLEEEEASE don’t do ‘Title II’ net neutrality – The Register Feb 12 06:01 We’re not like THEM, they say, pointing at Comcast, TWC et al – No less than 43 small ISPs have written to US watchdog the FCC [PDF] asking that it not introduce Title II legislation later this month.
Why Download Europe’s Lousy Broadband Policy? – Wall Street Journal via Google Alerts Feb 12 01:20 As the Federal Communications Commission prepares to treat Internet companies like public utilities under Title II of the 1934 Communications Act, …
Ensuring Trust in Internet Governance – CircleID via Google Alerts Feb 11 23:50 This discussion began with the surprise announcement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency within …
xMax is FirstNet Compliant – xG Technology via Google Alerts Feb 11 21:20 When FirstNet is built, it will provide a public safety-grade network to meet the needs …
Iowa State Patrol Facing heavy Fines Due to Out of Date Radios – Siouxland Matters via Google Alerts Feb 11 20:20 … federal communication commission (FCC) issued new guidelines that required public safety radio transmissions to convert to narrowband systems.
FCC’s Net Neutrality Move Threatens Broadband Accessibility – Amagi Metals via Google Alerts Feb 11 13:20 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler is planning on issuing an order to reclassify broadband as a public utility under …
Download – Ceragon Networks Ltd. via Google Alerts Feb 11 12:50 It serves public safety and is compatible with FirstNet, a U.S. nationwide broadband high-speed network dedicated to public safety. Pat Barringer, CEO …
A Second Panel Will Probe The FCC’s Net Neutrality Plan – Gizmodo Australia via Google Alerts Feb 11 06:25 Last week, the FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced that he will be propose that broadband be reclassified under Title II, but some members of …
Pacific DataVision announces MOTOTRBO as narrowband technology, begins – latest headlines via Google Alerts Feb 10 23:20 O’Brien said he and other PDV officials were allowed to ring the NASDAQ closing bell on Feb. 2, and trading began under the PDVW symbol on Feb.
21st Century Technology : Nationwide broadband network aims to shepherd public safety into the … – promarketnews.com via Google Alerts Feb 10 21:11 (4-traders.com) When last week’s nor’easter dumped about two feet of snow and brought hurricane-force winds to the island of Nantucket, the town’s …
FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai Doesn’t Like The Net Neutrality Plan – NextPowerUp via Google Alerts Feb 10 19:20 A large portion of the general population likes the net neutrality plan put forth by FCC chair Tom Wheeler. The plan will reclassify broadband and allow …
Wi-Fi Alliance(R) Welcomes Introduction of Wi-Fi Innovation Act – Marketwired via Google Alerts Feb 10 15:50 … Department of Transportation (DoT) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to closely study the impact of opening …
Why the Comcast-Time Warner Cable Merger Is Dead – Bloomberg View via Google Alerts Feb 6 17:21 The Federal Communications Commission has decided to regulate broadband service like a utility and enforce, to some degree, equal access to the …
FCC – Michigan Public Safety Communications System Public Safety Towers – Colorado Media.Net via Google Alerts Feb 6 16:20 From the FCC: Michigan Public Safety Communications System Public Safety Towers; Application for Review Denied the Application for Review …
Broadband speeds get a boost from the FCC – Reuters Blogs via Google Alerts Feb 6 15:20 I propose to fully apply for the first time ever those bright-line rules to mobile broadband. My proposal assures the rights of internet users to go …
Republicans Vow to Fight FCC Broadband Proposal – WSJ: Technology Feb 6 12:45 Republican lawmakers are vowing to fight the Federal Communications Commission’s new proposal to heavily regulate broadband Internet.
FCC rules to enforce net neutrality and the ECB rules to cut off Greek collateral – RT via Google Alerts Feb 6 12:20 Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler’s suggestion to lump wireless networks in with wired-broadband was arguably the …
After Wheeler unveils proposal, what’s next for net neutrality? – Network World Fusion Feb 6 11:37 A flurry of activity will follow the plan from U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler to reclassify broadband as a regulated public utility as the foundation for new net neutrality rules. Wheeler’s plan would reclassify broadband from a lightly regulated information service to a more regulated telecommunications service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act, reversing the FCC’s broadband policy for the past decade. Still, Wheeler’s plan has the agency forbearing from most traditional telecom regulations under Title II, including rate regulations, contributions to the FCC’s Universal Service Fund, and requirements to share their networks with competitors. To read…
FCC commissioner opposes Obama’s Internet plan – CNBC via Google Alerts Feb 6 04:45 FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai says President Obama’s plan for Internet regulation will make for slower broadband, increase Internet bills and reduce …
MissionCritical Communications, Radio Resource International, and Public Safety Report – 74.63.161 via Google Alerts Feb 6 00:50 American Airlines Receives Notice of Violation for Fire Agency Interference (2/5/15). The FCC issued a notice of violation to American Airlines Group, …