Channelized vs. Broadband

Channelized vs. Broadband

Saturday, November 07, 2009 Andrew M. Seybold

 People brought up in a channelized world are often confused when faced with the new broadband technologies. Those of us who grew up with wired and then analog cellular phone systems know that a channel is a single voice path that is created when we dial a call. We have our own circuit or channel back to the hub (a wired switch) and outbound from that switch until our call is completed.  ...

AT&T and Verizon Introduce One Voice Standard for Voice/SMS Over LTE

AT&T and Verizon Introduce One Voice Standard for Voice/SMS Over LTE
PhoneNews.com
The CSFB standard as proposed by the 3GPP would allow LTE devices to revert to GSM or UMTS for incoming/outgoing voice calls as well as SMS. …

 

Broadband stimulus awards delayed

Broadband stimulus awards delayed
Urgent Communications
... including public-safety entities. Governors' offices and state broadband program officials around the nation were charged with advising the NTIA on ...

Dispelling LTE Myths

Dispelling LTE Myths
Wireless Week
However, 3GPP recognizes that adoption of both LTE and IMS will not occur overnight. For this reason 3GPP provided a transition solution for voice called CS ...

…VoIP support for emergency calls (including location support) is specified as part of Rel 9. This fulfils the last regulatory requirement separating VoIP from CS in 3GPP networks. A transition solution exists which is falling back to 3G/2G for completing emergency calls. This solution has existed since IMS was introduced (Rel 5). …

Three benefits of VoFi – Voice over Wireless

By WildPackets on November 3, 2009 3:00 AM

The use of VoFi, or Voice over Wireless, has been rather limited. But now, with the newly ratified 802.11n standard, we're expecting to see a surge of interest in this technology since 802.11n and its increased throughput and range is what makes VoFi feasible.  …

 

Report: Interoperability Requires Improvements in Governance

Nov 2, 2009, News Report

Creating interoperability in the governmental context requires government leaders to take responsibility for improving the capabilities of government agencies to effectively partner with other agencies and governments as well as the private sector, non-profit groups, and research institutions according to  IT Governance Capability: Laying the foundation for government interoperability released by The Center for Technology in Government (CTG) at the University at Albany-SUNY.

 

FCC Field Hearing to Focus on First Responder Needs Nov 12

FCC Field Hearing to Focus on First Responder Needs Nov 12
BroadbandCensus.com
... a broadband field hearing in conjunction with Georgetown University Medical Center on The Role of Broadband in Improving Public Safety Communications ...

Three Maryland Counties and State of Maryland Sign ARINC to Build Public

Three Maryland Counties and State of Maryland Sign ARINC to Build Public
Media Newswire (press release)
“Recognizing that State and Local budgets are tight, we coordinated efforts to obtain funding for the project under a US Public Safety Interoperable ...

Jumping on the bandwagon: Introducing the next generation multi-band radios

Jumping on the bandwagon: Introducing the next generation multi-band radios
PhysOrg.com - Evergreen,VA,USA
As the construction of public safety systems consumed all the available channels ... observes that interoperability issues have become more important in the ... Starting in November, 14 agencies across the country will have the opportunity to try out this leading edge technology with fellow first responders through 30-day pilot projects.

Ashley Strickland, a captain at the Pittsboro Fire Department in Indiana who tested out an early multi-band radio prototype, observes that interoperability issues have become more important in the last decade as first responders now routinely respond to emergencies outside their official jurisdiction. …

 

ETSI's standardization of Reconfigurable Radio Systems gets underway

ETSI's standardization of Reconfigurable Radio Systems gets underway
PRLog.Org (press release) - TX,USA
Currently, public safety communications are characterized by patchworks of ... SDR can provide solutions for the required interoperability of such systems, ...

 

NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL PETITION FOR STAY OF INTERIM NARROWBAND IMPLEMENTATION DATES

(DA No. 09-2364). Released: 11/02/2009.

Comments Due: 11/23/2009. Reply Comments Due:

12/03/2009. WTB . Contact: Melvin Spann at (202) 418-1333, email:

Melvin.Spann@fcc.gov or Zenji Nakazawa at (202) 418-7949, email:

Zenji.Nakazawa@fcc.gov

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2364A1.pdf

Who is Seeking Broadband Stimulus Grants in Your State?

Interested in who and what projects are proposed for your state?

Search the applications on the NITA website link below:

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/applications/search.cfm

Critics say Schweitzer-endorsed Internet plan won’t extend services

By MIKE DENNISON IR State Bureau

Gov. Brian Schweitzer's recommendation that one firm get $70 million in federal stimulus funds to expand high-speed Internet service is being blasted by Montana telephone companies and regulators, who say the project won't extend new service to underserved areas. …

New technology, stimulus funding help revive municipal broadband

Oct 1, 2009 10:10 AM, By Lynnette Luna

…Mark Meier, Oklahoma City's chief technology officer recently indicated that the city has derived approximately $10 million in value from its broadband network to date. "Some of our critical public safety applications required redundant wireless connectivity, but the cellular data cards have remained virtually unused and handle less than 1 percent of our traffic which has resulted in significant cost savings for the city," he says.



City departments using the network include police, fire, transit, public works and IT. And the network has more than 200 applications concurrently running over it. Devices include laptops, handheld devices, traffic controllers and video cameras. 



In most cases, public safety is the anchor-tenant of the network and other government agencies come along for the ride, Settles says. Public safety benefits the most from a variety of applications, ranging from video surveillance to web-based crime database access. …


 

Wireless at work

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Jennifer Grzeskowiak

The latest technology moves public services from the office to the field…

…New York had a video system at the scene, and the Fire Department's Command Tactical Unit vehicle sent video back to its Operations Center and the Office of Emergency Management to help mobilize vehicles and organize equipment. "Having real-time data and not having to wait for the media to arrive and send back data for us helps make quicker decisions and save lives," says Nick Sbordone, director of external affairs for NYC Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications (DoITT).

The video system was possible because of New York's unprecedented, $500 million, high-speed wireless data network, known as NYCWiN, that covers all five boroughs. …

 

Consortiums will be likely winners of broadband stimulus funding
GovPro Media
... NTIA asked Governors' offices and state broadband program officials to recommend first round project funding in their states. Their support for local government-run or nonprofits created for public-private partnerships runs from 30 percent to 50 percent, says Craig Settles, founder of Successful.com. …

In plain English

In plain English
Worcester Telegram
The Department of Homeland Security is tying grant money to agencies using plain language in the push for interoperability, said Chief Horn, president of ...

 

FCC announces more 800 MHz channels available for public safety

FCC announces more 800 MHz channels available for public safety

By Donny Jackson

Public-safety entities seeking 800 MHz spectrum next month will be able to apply for interleaved frequencies being cleared by Sprint Nextel as part of the rebanding process, the FCC announced in a public notice released yesterday.

 

FCC mandates county to upgrade radio communications system

FCC mandates county to upgrade radio communications system
Pine Journal
Most current public safety radio systems currently use 25 kHz-wide channels, but beginning in 2013, the FCC will require that all non-Federal public safety ...

 

PSHSB chief: 700 MHz waivers are a priority

PSHSB chief: 700 MHz waivers are a priority
Urgent Communications - Overland Park,USA
“If 700 MHz and the national public-safety broadband plan were the only jobs ... use the public-safety broadband spectrum currently licensed to the PSST for ...

 

FCC mandates county to upgrade radio communications system

FCC mandates county to upgrade radio communications system
Pine Journal
Most current public safety radio systems currently use 25 kHz-wide channels, but beginning in 2013, the FCC will require that all non-Federal public safety ...

FCC APPOINTS APCO BOARD MEMBER TO CO-CHAIR COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

FCC APPOINTS APCO BOARD MEMBER TO CO-CHAIR COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

October 13, 2009, Alexandria, Va. - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today heralded the appointment of Immediate Past President Chris Fischer of Seattle, Wash. as co-chair of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) for a term of two years. …

 

Samsung will supply the world's first 4G LTE

Samsung will supply the world's first 4G LTE
JoongAng Daily
The LTE device has also been designed to be fully compliant with the newest standard of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) - the 3GPP LTE Release ...

…Users will be able to download a 700 megabit feature movie in under a minute, according to Samsung. The product includes the company’s LTE modem chip branded Kalmia and supports 2.6 GHz band. …

 

Temple Georgia is Testbed for Advanced Public Safety Network

Temple Georgia is Testbed for Advanced Public Safety Network
... public safety applications and services The broadband wireless network ...

…the network, which currently supports Wi-Fi, will be able to upgrade to 4.9 GHz in future expansions. The 4.9 GHz spectrum is dedicated to fixed and mobile public safety services. …

WiMAX: 4G contender or niche play?

WiMAX: 4G contender or niche play?
FierceWireless
Although most wireless carriers on a 3GPP (WCDMA) or 3GPP2 (CDMA2000) track likely will upgrade to LTE, the mobile WiMAX team (both vendors and carriers) ...

3GPP's Scrase puts LTE-advanced in perspective

3GPP's Scrase puts LTE-advanced in perspective
TelephonyOnline
The 3GPP has submitted its LTE-advanced proposal to the International Telecommunications Union, stating that with new technologies such as eight-by-eight ...

AMATEUR SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS DURING GOVERNMENT DISASTER DRILLS

AMATEUR SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS DURING GOVERNMENT DISASTER DRILLS
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2259A1.pdf>
(DA No. 09-2259). FCC/WTB

...Some entities, such as hospitals, emergency operations centers, and
police, fire, and emergency medical service stations, have expressed
interest in having their employees who are amateur station operators
participate in these drills by transmitting messages on the entity's behalf.
The Commission's Rules, however, specifically prohibit amateur stations from
transmitting communications "in which the station licensee or control
operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an
employer...

...we take this opportunity to provide a clear process for requesting a
waiver, and the information that we require in order to consider granting
such a request. ...

...In an actual emergency, the Commission's Rules provide that an amateur
station may use any means of radio communication at its disposal to provide
essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of
human life and the immediate protection of property when normal
communication systems are not available. In those circumstances, rule
waiver is not necessary.

Broadband voice intriguing, but when will it be mission critical?

Broadband voice intriguing, but when will it be mission critical?
Urgent Communications - Overland Park,USA
And, if we got rid of LMR voice systems, wouldn't public safety have a lot of 700 MHz ... committee and chairman of the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST). ...

Memo To Intel: Time For An Overdue Reality Check On Mobile WiMAX

Memo To Intel: Time For An Overdue Reality Check On Mobile WiMAX
Gerson Lehrman Group
As expected IEEE 802.16m has been submitted to the ITU, along with LTE-Advanced, for consideration as a true 4G standard. This news may be confusing to ...

APCO Posts request for Comments - Standard Channel Naming Nomenclature

APCO/NPSTC ANS 1.104.1-200x: Standard Channel Nomenclature for the Public Safety Interoperability Channels

 

This document provides a standardized naming format for each Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated Interoperability Channel in the Public Safety Radio Services.  For more information about the proposed standard including background history and frequently asked questions with answers, click here.

 

Public Review and Comment Period is October 16 - November 30, 2009

 

APCO CELEBRATES SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXTEND VITAL PUBLIC

APCO CELEBRATES SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXTEND VITAL PUBLIC ...
October 16, 2009, Alexandria, Va-

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today applauded the Senate's passage of a bill that will extend the current spending deadline for the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grant program to 2012. The PSIC program was originally established by Congress to provide one-time funding of $1 billion to state and local governments toward achieving interoperability among our first responders....

LTE vs. WiMAX: Part 1: Introduction

LTE vs. WiMAX: Part 1: Introduction
SYS-CON Media (press release)
However, when the dust settled, the 3GPP and 3GPP2 camps made common cause behind a 3GPP technology called LTE (Long Term Evolution). ...

TIA Urges FCC to Plot Course for Economic Viability for Nationwide Interoperable Broadband Public Safety

TIA Urges FCC to Plot Course for Economic Viability for Nationwide Interoperable Broadband Public Safety
Telecommunications Industry Association Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:10 PM PDT
TIA urges FCC to craft policies to create a financially viable nationwide network, review the requests for technical network compatibility with these policies, consider technical recommendations of the National Public-Safety Telecommunications Council's 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband Task Force Report and Recommendations (NPSTC Report), and leave to the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST) and ...

House Committee Approves Low-Power FM Station, Interoperable ...
Broadcasting & Cable - New York,NY,USA
... The Interoperable Communications bill provides a two-year extension for making use of up to $1 billion in government funding for state and local interoperable communications systems. The money comes from the auction of the 700 MHz DTV spectrum. The bill does not increase the funds, but allows states and localities another two years to make use of them.

Bay Area gets ready for the next disaster
San Francisco Examiner
Additionally, as the Bay Area grew, its public safety agencies adopted different communication technologies that broadcast information through different radio frequencies, according to Michelle Geddes, a San Francisco Department of Emergency ... San Francisco expects to start using the 700-megahertz frequency by June, in part by drawing on a $14.9 million federal grant awarded to Bay Area governments to improve interoperability of communications, according to Geddes. ...

Cisco backpedals on WiMAX with Starent buy

Cisco backpedals on WiMAX with Starent buy
NetworkWorld.com
"Most wireless carriers on a 3GPP (WCDMA) or 3GPP2 (CDMA 2000) track are going to LTE. So Cisco wants to play in that sandbox as well, and with Starent it ...

St. Louis Broadband and 3-dB Networks to Partner on the ShowME Broadband Project

St. Louis Broadband and 3-dB Networks to Partner on the ShowME Broadband Project
Newswire Today (press release)
... broadband Internet to rural Missouri and to build out a reliable high speed public safety network for first responders throughout the coverage area. ...

FCC Launches Electronic Comment System

FCC ANNOUNCES THE PUBLIC LAUNCH OF THE ELECTRONIC COMMENT FILING SYSTEM

(ECFS) VERSION 2.0.   Presentation on New System to Be Held October 23.

News Release. News Media Contact: Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0511,

email: Rosemary.Kimball@fcc.gov  CGB

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-293952A1.doc

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-293952A1.pdf

 

The Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network: on track and accountable

The Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network: on track and accountable
OregonLive.com
Creating a state-of-the-art public safety communications system now and for the future is critical, and those who are guiding this effort are well aware of ...

FCC should heed NPSTC concerns about 2011 deadlines
Urgent Communications
1, 2011, includes some stipulations that could have some unexpected interoperability and equipment-cost issues that the National Public Safety ...

3GPP - LTE-Advanced, IEEE - WiMAX 2.0

3GPP - LTE-Advanced, IEEE - WiMAX 2.0

Geneva, October 8, 2009

The 3GPP Partners, which unite more than 370 leading mobile technology companies, made a formal submission to the ITU yesterday, proposing that LTE Release 10 & beyond (LTE-Advanced) be evaluated as a candidate for IMT-Advanced.

The ITU had set a deadline of 7 October for proposals to be received and 3GPP responded by submitting a comprehensive description of LTE-Advanced, an evolution of the LTE technology which has received considerable support from the world’s leading mobile operators. The submission was made jointly in the name of the 3GPP Organizational Partners: ARIB, ATIS, CCSA, ETSI, TTA and TTC, which represent the North American, European and Asian regions and make 3GPP a truly global initiative.

 

Airspan WiMAX Solution Selected for Missouri Deployment

Airspan WiMAX Solution Selected for Missouri Deployment
Marketwire via Yahoo! Finance Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:11 AM PDT
BOCA RATON, FL--(Marketwire - 10/13/09) - Airspan Networks Inc. (Pinksheets: AIRO - News ), a leading provider of broadband wireless access networks, announced today Stutler Technologies has purchased Airspan WiMAX equipment for Green Hills Companies broadband network offering high-speed data services in Missouri. Operating on the 700 MHz frequency band recently cleared by broadcasters, the ...

3G and 4G Wireless Blog: IMT-Advanced Proposals to be discussed

3G and 4G Wireless Blog: IMT-Advanced Proposals to be discussed ...
By Zahid Ghadialy
The 3GPP Partners, which unite more than 370 leading mobile technology companies, made a formal submission to the ITU yesterday, proposing that LTE Release 10 & beyond (LTE-Advanced) be evaluated as a candidate for IMT-Advanced. ...

 

Senate Passes Hutchison Bill to Prevent Inmates from Using Smuggled Cell Phones Bill will Allow Prisons to Employ Cell Jamming Technology

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Hutchison-backed legislation allowing prisons to block calls from contraband cellular phones has unanimously passed the Senate. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced the legislation to prevent prison inmates from using smuggled cellular phones by allowing states to petition to operate wireless jamming devices in particular correctional facilities. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration. …

 

House Committee Extends PSIC Grant Program
Broadcasting & Cable
... 10/8/2009 2:59:34 PM The House Communications Subcommittee voted unanimously Thursday to extend the Public Safety Interoperable Communications grant ...

3GPP Partners Propose IMT-Advanced Radio Technology

3GPP Partners Propose IMT-Advanced Radio Technology
Cellular-News
The 3GPP standards body has made a formal submission to the ITU, proposing that LTE Release 10 & beyond (LTE-Advanced) be evaluated as a candidate for ...

 

PENNSYLVANIA LOOKS TO LEVERAGE STATEWIDE SYSTEM BEYOND LMR

Pennsylvania looks to leverage statewide system beyond LMR

Oct 7, 2009 3:53 PM, By Donny Jackson

…In addition, the state has applied for $28 million in stimulus grants to layer a 150 Mb/s network over the public-safety network that commercial carriers could use for otherwise expensive “middle mile” transport. …

…“It would be great to solve the broadband problem and the cellular problem at the same time,” Brennan said.

Meanwhile, by co-hosting the overlay network at existing sites, the state of Pennsylvania can generate another revenue stream to support its operations and, eventually, be able to access the commercial network if capacity on the public-safety system is ever maxed out. …

 

Public safety leaders air need for better radio communications ...

Public safety leaders air need for better radio communications ...
The Daily Astorian
The group also wants to improve interoperability within the two counties and beyond so they all have compatible equipment and can talk to each other. ...

Oversight Missing for Oregon's Emergency Radio Network
Insurance Journal
The report from the Legislature's budget committee says those building the Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network don't have the staff and controls in ...

California Interoperability Coordinators OfficeCICO
One of the most prominent issues facing the public safety community today is the lack of communications interoperability which is commonly defined by many ...

TerreStar Dual Mode Statphone

TerreStar Dual Mode Statphone
Motorola is supporting Skyterra's satphone network with a terrestrial 700 MHz phone for public safety broadband. A dual mode phone from Motorola will provide both broadband satellite and 700 MHz terrestrial devices for the public safety ...

Clearwire Says It Could Ditch WiMAX for LTE

09/16/2009

WiMAX provider Clearwire Corp. is willing to ditch WiMAX in favor of that other 4G technology, LTE, if the market warrants it. Clearwire has been set on a rather maverick-like path in the United States by becoming the only major operator to choose WiMAX for 4G wireless broadband. The reasons for doing so include time-to-market advantages: WiMAX has been commercialized for sometime, while LTE won’t be deployed until next year. …

 

FCC'S BROADBAND TASK FORCE DELIVERS INITIAL ASSESSMENT

fcc's Broadband Task Force Delivers Initial Assessment Converge Network Digest ... adoption, affordability, and the use of broadband to advance solutions to national priorities, including health care, education, energy, public safety, ...

 

First Responders Convene for Hands-On Experience with Pennsylvania
PR Newswire (press release)
... and local officials to communicate in order to maintain public safety. Interoperability conference attendees participated in an exercise that featured a ...

Lawmakers Acknowledge Need for General Funds to Build Public-Safety Network

Lawmakers Acknowledge Need for General Funds to Build Public-Safety Network

(9/25/09)
By Sandra Wendelken
Congressional members of the House subcommittee on communications, technology and the Internet heard views from the public-safety community and commercial carriers on the best option for the 700 MHz D block spectrum Thursday, with several lawmakers noting general funds might be the only way to ensure buildout of a nationwide public-safety broadband network.

After hearing several proposals for D block options from the seven witnesses, Rep. Rick Boucher, chair of the subcommittee, said none of the options provided full funding for the proposed network. “I’m not sure if any of these proposals derive the revenues necessary to build out this spectrum, especially in rural areas,” said Rep. Boucher. “My thought is at the end of the day we’re going to find ourselves looking at some general fund revenues in order to finance this. I don’t know of another avenue open to us.” …

 

Top carriers face high costs migrating to LTE

 

Top carriers face high costs migrating to LTE
Telecoms.com
... at a much lower cost than deploying LTE," Roberts says. Informa Telecoms & Media forecasts that by the end of 2013 3GPP systems will account for 72 per ...

A National Interoperable Broadband Network for Public Safety

A National Interoperable Broadband Network for Public Safety Thursday, 24 September 2009 10:00 The Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet held a hearing titled, "A National Interoperable Broadband Network for Public Safety:  Recent Developments" on Thursday, September 24, 2009 in 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing focused on progress in efforts to create a national public safety broadband network and proposals that have emerged since last year. ...

Oregon builds statewide network
Urgent Communications - Overland Park,USA
The network, dubbed OWIN, eventually will replace 80% of the state's public-safety infrastructure with a 700 MHz microwave system. ...

US carriers in stand-off over 700 MHz, as Verizon steps on accelerator

US carriers in stand-off over 700 MHz, as Verizon steps on accelerator Rethink Wireless The big four cellcos are ranged against one another on both issues - T-Mobile versus AT&T and Verizon on plans for the 700 MHz D Block (the public safety ...

700 MHz Public Safety Band Still In State of Flux

700 MHz Public Safety Band Still In State of Flux
Robert Gurss

September 2009
Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, PLC

The FCC continues to struggle with how to address the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum. Congress long ago mandated an allocation of 24 MHz of spectrum in that band for public safety, most of which has been designated for narrowband voice systems licensed to state and local governments. However, 10 MHz of that spectrum has been designated for a national public safety broadband network and assigned to a national licensee, the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST). Current FCC rules provide for the adjacent "D Block" of commercial spectrum to be auctioned, and for the winner to enter into a network sharing agreement with the PSST. The result would have been a shared, public-private network spanning 20 MHz and built to meet public safety requirements, but serving both commercial and public safety customers. ...

Congress Hears Conflicting Ideas for Public Safety Network

Congress Hears Conflicting Ideas for Public Safety Network
That plan which would have created a network shared by public safety and ... 10MHz already controlled by the Public Safety Spectrum TrustPSST a nonprofit ...

 

Gov. Heineman Activates Phase I of Nebraska's Statewide Radio
By VlAD
Statewide interoperability will include enhanced communication for local and county law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, NPPD utility crews, county emergency managers, and state public safety agencies, in addition to U.S. ...

New tower is part of police radio upgrade
Baltimore Sun
... Communications Interoperability Program, which when completed will enable emergency responders, public safety officials and law enforcement agencies to ...

 

Grant helps Butte County assess radio communications needs
Enterprise-Record
The department is also discussing strategies to make public safety communications "interoperable." Interoperability issues arose after catastrophes such as ...