Whitepaper: FirstNet Innovations – Revolutionizing Public Safety Communications

Overview

It goes without saying that communications are absolutely critical for Public Safety. The very nature of Public Safety services requires highly reliable systems, while with many new technologies, reliability tends to follow sometime after introduction. This creates a challenge to the implementation of the National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) and the application of 4G LTE services to the unique needs of Public Safety.

AT&T through their FirstNet contract has embraced this challenge with innovations targeting Public Safety’s functionality and reliability requirements. Embodied in this challenge is an understanding of Public Safety’s long history using Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems to meet their communications requirements. This history has built a level of trust that FirstNet must meet in providing Mission Critical voice communications as well as with their new and innovative services.

Related Articles

PUBLIC SAFETY SPECTRUM ALLIANCE (PSSA) EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT WITH FCC ACTION TO ALLOCATE PUBLIC SAFETY SPECTRUM TO THE STATES.

The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA), a coalition to protect public safety’s use of mission-critical spectrum, including the 4.9 GHz Band, announced that it will not be deterred by the FCC’s action today to reallocate the 4.9 GHz spectrum to the states that has previously been allocated solely to public safety. “We are extremely disappointed by the FCC’s action that jeopardizes public safety’s access to spectrum critical to life-saving operations. Today’s action by the FCC shows clearly that commercial interests won out at public safety’s expense” according to Chief Jeff Johnson, CEO of the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) and former vice chairman of the FirstNet Authority. “ This spectrum was allocated by the FCC to public safety after 9/11 to be part of the interoperability solution for first responders.

Parkinson: Vision 2023 at the “Bleeding Edge” of Public Safety Communications

Vision 2023 at the South Point Spa and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, from September 25 to 28, 2023 is the premiere industry event for all things FirstNet, “If you’re talking about range extension, if you’re talking about 911, or the integration of broadband, it really does cover the A to Z of public safety comms in a way that I don’t think any other conference does,” Parksinson said. “To be able to see what’s available for public safety and then to see the vision of what’s to come — and that is what the conference is named after — is a terrific opportunity to hear some of the thought leaders, to see some of the leading technology, the thought leaders in the community and to see what’s coming.”

PUBLIC SAFETY SPECTRUM ALLIANCE (PSSA) EXPRESSES APPRECIATION TO COMMISSIONER ROSENWORCEL AND STARKS FOR SUPPORT OF PRESERVATION OF 4.9 GHz SPECTRUM FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA), a coalition to protect public safety’s use of 4.9 GHz spectrum commends Commissioner Rosenworcel and Commissioner Starks for their support of public safety by dissenting on yesterday’s agenda item: Amendment of Part 90 of the Commission’s Rules, WP Docket No. 07-100. Their comments show that they clearly understand the significant negative impacts to public safety of this order and pointed out the procedural flaws in this proceeding that may violate the Administrative Procedures Act.

Fire Marshal Jim McKay has Great Expectations for Vision 2023

It’s his first time here, and he has great expectations for what he’ll get out of the experience. These phrases sum up the perspective of First Marshal Jim McKay of the Monarch Fire Protection District (Chesterfield, Missouri), as he attends the Vision FirstNet Users Summit (Vision 2023) in Las Vegas. Hosted by the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) at the South Point Spa and Casino from September 25 to 28, 2023, Vision 2023 is the top public safety industry event for all things FirstNet.