First of all, the PSCR meeting in San Diego this week was very well attended, the crowd, according to those who track such things was over 500. Wednesday AM FirstNet had a short but productive Board of Directors meeting and then disappeared for a meeting to discuss staffing positions. We all expected to hear an announcement that TJ Kennedy would be appointed as the permanent Executive Director but it did not happen. The Public Safety community, I believe, stands united behind the acting Executive Director, TJ Kennedy to get the appointment full time. In the past two years many believe including myself, that TJ has earned the respect of the Public Safety community and despite the low salary the Government permits, has worked tirelessly on behalf of FirstNet and the Public Safety community. It would be hard to find a more dedicated or qualified person to head up FirstNet.
The conference was a mixture of different types of presentations all very good, some more technical than a number of those in the audience could understand and some, which were bothersome to me, were still tests and lab results about boomer (high level sites), Pre-emption, and several others that were billed as “modeling” examples from the PSCR Laboratory folks.
I have a problem with the fact that over 3 years has elapsed since the FirstNet bill was passed, there are LTE systems around the world including many that employ boomer sites, and there has been lots of work done in the commercial world on many of these topics yet the presentations seem to me at least to be those that should have been moved to the field for real world testing over a year ago. The PSCR is a very dedicated group of folks or as their director calls himself and them “geeks” but what we need is real world testing and not theories or “modeling” data at this point in time.
There seem to be a number of things that I would have expected to have been further along, since they are presented in the RFP as requirements, or must or would like to haves, with no acknowledgement that they are still in the modeling phase and have not been proven to be possible in a real world network. Perhaps I am being too critical here but in the same year the RFP for the network partnership and network building vendor (s) will be released, which includes things like Mission Critical PTT, true Pre-emption, and several other unproven portions of the LTE technology, I find a total disconnect between the work being done in labs and that being done in real world environments.
I am not sure how many vendors will spend the time to sift through what can be done today for FirstNet and what is perhaps possible into the future. The size of the crowd and the mood was certainly upbeat, and there were lots of great side discussions, many of which surrounded the issues being presented. It is clear to me that the FirstNet board is very dedicated to making this network happen sooner, rather than later, as is the FirstNet staff, now it remains to be seen if the DC mentality about how to get things done is permitted to permeate the good work being done by FirstNet.
From my perspective I enjoyed renewing old friendships, meeting new and interesting people, and listening to the presentations and the side bars. I am more convinced than ever that in spite of the Federal mentality which slows down everything in DC it seems, FirstNet will happen. Not in the time frame it should have happened in but before the Feds expect it to, which should be considered as a major accomplishment by all at FirstNet. Have a great week, end and thanks to all who read these weekly news summaries and came up to me at the conference and said hello. Andy
FirstNet Board Reviews Key Milestones Along Program Roadmap Toward Final RFP for the … – Broadband Matters via Google Alerts Jun 5 12:16 FirstNet Board Reviews Key Milestones Along Program Roadmap Toward Final RFP for the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN).
Sue Swenson’s Keynote from the 2015 PSCR Public Safety Broadband Stakeholder Meeting – FirstNet via Google Alerts Jun 4 14:40 Remarks by Sue Swenson, Chair, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) I can’t believe that it’s been a year since the last PSCR Conference.
PSAC gets initial reports on FirstNet pilot projects – Sevana Blog via Google Alerts Jun 3 00:20 The 40-member Public Safety Advisory Committee received its first formal …
FirstNet Board Reviews Key Milestones Along Program Roadmap Toward Final RFP for the … – Public Safety Communications – APCO International via Google Alerts Jun 5 08:20 SAN DIEGO, CALIF. The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Board met this week to ensure the continued success of its Strategic Program …
Australian government slammed for public safety broadband inaction – ZDNet Jun 5 06:45 The current and former Australian governments have come under fire from the Police Federation of Australia for delaying a decision on whether to build out a public safety mobile broadband network.
FirstNet’s public-safety-centric mindset ‘very different’ than typical federal entity, Swenson says – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts Jun 4 12:16 We’re creating an organization that is focused on public safety and serving them, and I think that’s a …
Lawmakers to Review FCC Field Office Closure Plan – Radio World via Google Alerts Jun 3 15:10 The FCC’s field offices serve a vital role they are on the front lines enforcing the commission’s rules protecting public safety communications from …
FirstNet officials say deployment speed, cost effectiveness key criteria for opt-out states, territories – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts Jun 3 14:10 States and territories can choose to build the public-safety broadband radio access network (RAN) in their jurisdictions, but they will not be able to …
Future Emergency Service Communications White Paper – Roke Manor Research Limited via Google Alerts Jun 2 19:50 Emergency Communications: Various Challenges Likely to Slow Implementation of a Public Safety Broadband Network, GAO Report, 22 February …
Wireless carriers may hesitate to partner with FirstNet, analysts say – Benton Foundation via Google Alerts Jun 2 16:20 Despite public-safety officials’ praise of commercial wireless options as …
911 Groups Support Ending FCC 911 Call-Forwarding Rule – Law360 via Google Alerts Jun 5 23:15 Law360, Washington (June 5, 2015, 5:44 PM ET) — Public safety organizations supported the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s plan to …
T-Mobile US Hits 52-Week High on DISH Network Merger Talk – Zacks.com via Google Alerts Jun 5 19:00 In a separate development, T-Mobile US has initiated the deployment of LTE network on its 700 MHz spectrum holdings to enhance its service outside …
Why This Government Official Wants to Give Smart Phones to Poor People – TIME via Google Alerts Jun 5 05:35 The Federal Communications Commission, concerned about the high cost of broadband, wants to put cell phones that can access the Internet in the …
APCO Convenes Experts to Advance Security of Public Safety Apps – Public Safety Communications – APCO International via Google Alerts Jun 5 04:05 San Diego, CA On June 2, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International hosted a workshop in cooperation with …
FirstNet dedicated to emergency communications – KSFFA’s Fire News Blog – WordPress.com via Google Alerts Jun 4 21:15 Craig Divoll, Public Safety Broadband Outreach coordinator with the Kansas Adjutant General’s Department, shares information about FirstNet with …
T-Mobile, Sprint, and Dish Network Team Up Against Verizon and AT&T – Latin Post via Google Alerts Jun 4 19:00 “However, the major shortcoming of our deployed 700 MHz spectrum is that …
Super storm highlights need for emergency phone network: police – ABC Online via Google Alerts Jun 4 18:15 The Police Federation of Australia (PFA) has used a submission to the Productivity Commission to push for Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB) to …
Computer Safety, Reliability, and Security: 33rd International Conference, SAFECOM 2014 … – BooksOnTheMove | Review Books via Google Alerts Jun 4 17:10 Computer Safety, Reliability, and Security: 33rd International Conference, SAFECOM 2014, Florence, Italy, September 10-12, 2014. Proceedings …
A Critical Moment for the Future of the Internet – Huffington Post Jun 4 15:18 By Fadi Chehadé The Internet, the greatest invention of our generation–several generations in fact–is in many ways a reflection of the American Dream. It’s vast and open, unlimited in its potential reach. It’s inclusive and welcoming. Anyone can be part of it and make a difference. The fastest growing part of the global economy is Internet-based, and the Internet accounts for a significant and growing portion of global GDP. According to Boston Consulting Group , the Internet is contributing up to 8 percent of GDP in some economies, powering growth and creating jobs. You’d be correct in arguing it’s an American-made…
EAS Test Rules Updated – Radio World via Google Alerts Jun 4 15:10 At the time, FCC Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau Chief David Simpson said he expected the Report & Order concerning the next national …
FirstNet dedicated to emergency communications – Pratt Tribune via Google Alerts Jun 4 01:40 Situations like this could change with the establishment of First Responder Network Authority or FirstNet that would provide a dedicated high-speed …
Legal Support for FirstNet – First Responder Network Authority – Tendernews.com via Google Alerts Jun 3 16:21 legal support for firstnet first responder network authority tenders Tender Notices RFP Rfq compiled daily from all published Newspapers online web …
Republicans Resist FCC Proposal for Lifeline Broadband Subsidies – New York Times via Google Alerts Jun 2 17:50 Senator Kelly Ayotte, Republican of New Hampshire, said she was concerned that rural areas might not have opportunities to take advantage of a …
House Bill Blocks Internet Naming Oversight Handoff – Broadcasting & Cable via Google Alerts Jun 2 17:10 “The Administration strongly objects to the provision that prevents the National Telecommunications and Information Administration from using funds to …
Oregon Broadcasters Designated ‘First Responders’ – TV Technology via Google Alerts Jun 2 14:30 SALEM, ORE.Individuals acting under authority of broadcasters could now be considered first responders in Oregon. That’s part of a bill signed …
FCC Warns Broadband Internet Service Providers Of Coming Expanded Title II Privacy Regulation – JD Supra via Google Alerts Jun 2 07:30 On May 20, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an Enforcement Advisory[1] notifying providers that the agency’s recent …
AT&T backs ‘Obamaphone’ – Total Telecom via Google Alerts Jun 2 05:45 AT&T on Monday lent its support the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s (FFC’s) plan to subsidise broadband access for low income …
T-Mobile appears set to bring 700 MHz LTE service to NYC area – Web Whatsapp via Google Alerts Jun 2 02:55 T-Mobile appears set to bring 700 MHz LTE service to NYC area FierceWireless. T-Mobile representatives did not immediately have a comment on the ..