There will be two Public Safety Advocate postings today. This is the first of them: Our weekly news update. Next up will be a post regarding the Public Safety Community as not just FirstNet customers but partners also, and many within the Public Safety community who are frustrated that they are in the process of building out county-wide or regional LMR systems and could easy make some system design changes to make these systems more “FirstNet” ready if they had some guidance on what is needed. FirstNet is back to hiring contractors to help with system design, business modeling, and partnerships.

The contract for the first set of FirstNet contractors expired in November and December of last year. Those responsible for the contractor program did not start the rehiring process until the end of March. Much time was lost in the transition. The results of the competitive bidding process meant that most of the original contractors were not rehired, but replaced. Now it seems as if many of the replacement contractors are no longer available because the process took so long and the contracting agency is, in fact, re-engaging with many of the original contractors. This is good for FirstNet because of these are the people who spent 18 months working with FirstNet on many of the issues, but it is has to set FirstNet back on its schedule because the process has taken over 5 months to get on track. This week was National Public-Safety Telecommunications Week a time to thank all of those who are first responders, including the 9-1-1 and dispatch operators. Other news concerns FirstNet’s search for a new General Manager, and their outreach to the states and more. Andy

Week honors public safety services’ lifeline – Humboldt Beacon via Google AlertsApr 17 16:02Introduced in Congress by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International in 1991, this week is dedicated annually to public …

FirstNet manager steps down at critical time for nationwide first-responder network – FedScoop via Google Alerts Apr 16 21:55 The First Responder Network Authority, known as FirstNet, this week announced the abrupt departure of General Manager Bill D’Agostino, raising …

Transitioning to Broadband – Daily Policy Digest Apr 18 08:55 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued an Internet Protocol Technology Transitions Order, inviting trial experiments on the transition from a telephone-based network to an Internet-based one. The FCC — and other government agencies — have lagged behind the American public in their acceptance of broadband technologies. While Americans have switched to smartphones and other services in place of traditional telephone services, the FCC continues to cling to the old telephone network, says Richard Bennett, a…

FirstNet Explained – Government Technology News Apr 17 19:34 The attacks of 9/11 revealed the incompatible and balkanized state of emergency and public safety communications in America, with police unable to communicate by radio with firefighters. When Hurricane Sandy hit New York and New Jersey in 2012, the situation was remarkably different. Police commanders talked with fire officials as they battled power failures in the wake of the storm. Yet when emergency officials from other cities showed up to help, their radios could…

FirstNet Testbeds (Interactive Map) – Government Technology News Apr 17 19:34 View the status of each of the eight potential FirstNet testbeds in the map above. (Data on each site is also at the end of this story.) Simply stated, the mission of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is to create a single interoperable platform for emergency and daily public safety communications. The network is expected to cost upwards of $7 billion. Building such a network has never been attempted, and the project raises…

FirstNet looks to initiate state consultations in July – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts Apr 17 16:02 … to deploy the portion of the nationwide broadband network for public safety within a give state or territory, according to a presentation recently given …

NTIA rounds up federal spectrum use information – SAMENA Telecommunications Council – samenacouncil.org via Google Alerts Apr 17 10:01 The National Telecommunications and Information Administration launched spectrum.gov April 11, a website it hopes will serve as a hub for all …

Dispatchers honored during National 911 Telecommunicators Week – East Central Minnesota Post Review via Google Alerts Apr 17 04:01 Launched in 1991, Telecommunicators Week was introduced to Congress by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International.

FirstNet Board to Launch Nationwide Search for New General Manager | First Responder Network … – firstnet.gov via Google Alerts Apr 16 08:59 WASHINGTON – The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Board …

The Public Safety LTE & Mobile Broadband Market: 2014 – 2020 – DigitalJournal.com via Google Alerts Apr 11 07:14 With spectrum already allocated, public safety agencies in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the U.S have already begun to operate private LTE networks. …

US NTIA’s plan to end ICANN contract puts Internet freedom at risk, critics say – Network World via Google Alerts Apr 11 04:35 The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s …

Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) – Alert Public Safety – alertpss.com via Google Alerts Apr 18 07:58 Event: Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO); Start: August 3, 2014; End: August 6, 2014; Organizer: APCO International …

FCC offers public safety workshop online for technology transition – Worldnews.com – wn.com via Google Alerts Apr 17 22:58 National Broadband Plan: Public Safety Communications …

Public Safety Bureau, Site-Based Actions, 4/16/2014 | FCC.gov – fcc.gov via Google Alerts Apr 17 22:01 Federal Communications Commission · The FCC …

Qualcomm Joins Group to Push FCC to Open 10GHz for Mobile Broadband – Inside Towers … – insidetowers.com via Google Alerts Apr 17 21:08 Qualcomm has added its name to the growing list of companies and individuals people urging the FCC to open up the 10 to 10.5 GHz band for …

7521098610.txt The conflict between Lightsquared’s 4G rual broadband and GPS is simple, the … – fcc.gov via Google Alerts Apr 17 19:59 7521098610.txt. The conflict between Lightsquared’s 4G rual broadband and GPS is simple, the FCC needs to have all defective GPS units pulled and …

Rogers enhances 4G LTE network quality with 700 MHz spectrum – Telecom Lead via Google Alerts Apr 17 16:01 Rogers believes that enhanced 4G will be a key driver to better customer experience. “With our beachfront spectrum, we’ll deliver the ultimate mobile …

Forthcoming LTE 700 Mhz Frequency – Mobile phones – Whirlpool – whirlpool.net.au via Google Alerts Apr 17 10:01 Any word on inclusion of LTE 700 Mhz frequency on new mobiles. Whilst it may not be till next year, most likely Telstra & Optus will start using this …

Responders to discuss network – The Vandalia Leader via Google Alerts Apr 16 22:07 These meetings will serve to provide information about a proposed public safety broadband network; elicit feedback from the attendees about their …

FirstNet leader D’Agostino resigns – Federal Computer Week Apr 16 15:18 The general manager’s departure comes as the First Responder Network Authority is in the process of developing a business plan and expanding its staff.

FCC public safety workshop to delve into cybersecurity issues – Inside Cybersecurity.com – insidecybersecurity.com via Google Alerts Apr 16 09:58 A Federal Communications Commission workshop this week on the …

Compatibility Of A Broadband LTE Network With Existing Narrowband PMR Networks … – AGURRE – agurre.fr via Google Alerts Apr 16 05:11 Identifying the challenges posed by increased demand for bandwidth. • Model for compatibility of LTE broadband networks with existing narrowband …

Bill aims to stop dropped calls – Brownfield Apr 16 05:00 A bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to stop dropped land-line and mobile phone calls in rural areas. Senator Tim Johnson says the problem of dropped calls is a serious public safety threat ” as police dispatchers and doctors have experienced dropped calls in critical situations. Johnson says the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, […]

NTIA launches Spectrum.gov – FCW.com via Google Alerts Apr 15 04:17 The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Commerce Department component that manages federal spectrum holdings, …

Global Mobile Broadband Market in Public Safety Report – PR Newswire UK (press release … – landlineman.com via Google Alerts Apr 11 08:20 Telecommunications Specialist. « Australia’s grand vision for a national broadband network has shrunk… BT ExpressRoute offers direct, secure, …

Public Safety Bureau, Transactions Accepted for Filing, 04/09/14 | FCC.gov – fcc.gov via Google Alerts Apr 11 00:01 PUBLIC NOTICE. Federal Communications Commission. News Media Information 202 / 418-0500. th 445 12. St., S.W.. Internet: http://www.fcc.gov.

Brazil’s TIM to expand 4G network, study sale of towers – Reuters Apr 14 21:34 BRASILIA (Reuters) – The board of Brazilian wireless carrier TIM Participators SA has recommended that the company bid in an upcoming auction of the 700 MHz frequency for 4G wireless communications in Brazil, the company said on Monday