FCC establishes bureau for public safety, homeland security  

By Donny Jackson

FCC commissioners today announced the launch of a new Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau focused on addressing the communications needs of the nation’s first responders....

APCO ‘disappointed’ by reported Sprint Nextel rebanding-delay statement 

By Donny Jackson

A report that Sprint Nextel will seek to have the 800 MHz rebanding effort delayed for an extended time period—perhaps as much as two years—has raised the concerns within the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO)....

FCC spectrum auction raises $13.7 billion 

By Donny Jackson

The FCC this week concluded its auction of advanced wireless services (AWS) spectrum after 161 rounds, with 104 commercial entities winning ...

FCC spectrum auction raises $13.7 billion 

By Donny Jackson

The FCC today concludes its auction of advanced wireless services (AWS) spectrum after 161 rounds, with 104 commercial entities winning licenses in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands by submitting bids that will generate $13.7 billion in new revenue for the U.S. Treasury....

Senate passes 911 items in port-security legislation 

By Donny Jackson

The U.S. Senate yesterday voted to include IP-based 911 measures as part of the Safe Port Act (HR 4954) that would serve to clarify jurisdictional and liability issues ...

AWS auction bids top $13.5 billion 

By Donny Jackson

High bids in the FCC’s advanced wireless services (AWS) auction have topped $13.5 billion as the proceeding appears to be nearing its conclusion...

Virginia Fire Chiefs ask for Cyren Call proceeding 

By Donny Jackson

Public-safety support for the notion of a nationwide, public-safety-grade, broadband network utilizing 700 MHz spectrum that would be built by commercial operators continued this week with the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association (VFCA) asking the FCC to open a proceeding to consider such a proposal....

FCC probes Indiana two-way radio dealer 

By Glenn Bischoff

The FCC yesterday opened a proceeding to determine whether the licenses of Commercial Radio Service in Terre Haute, Ind., and Timothy Doty should be revoked...

NENA seeks proceeding for Cyren Call proposal 

By Donny Jackson

The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) yesterday asked Congress and the FCC to seek public comment on the Cyren Call Communications proposal to use 30 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum for a public-private network built to public-safety specifications...

APCO announces location-technology project 

By Donny Jackson

Fueled by the emergence of voice over IP (VoIP) and other communications technologies that are not integrated easily into the current 911 system, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) today announced a new project to address the location-awareness problems...

Satellite group bows out as auction bids reach $11 billion 

By Donny Jackson

Bids for wireless spectrum being auctioned by the FCC have topped $11 billion, with the departure of a partnership of satellite TV companies from the process being the most noteworthy event thus far...

TA asks public safety to get more involved in rebanding 

By Donny Jackson

ORLANDO--One week after the original negotiation deadline for Wave 1 NPSPAC licensees to sign 800 MHz rebanding agreements, only 5% of the deals are done and the Transition Administrator (TA) has not heard from more than half of the affected licensees...

APCO supports 700 MHz reallocation 

By Donny Jackson

ORLANDO--The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials today announced its support for reallocating 30 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum—currently designated to be auctioned—so it can be used for a nationwide broadband data network for public safety, but run by commercial operators...

Speakers: Nationwide broadband realistic for public safety 

By Donny Jackson

ORLANDO--Public safety has multiple options to deploy broadband IP-based data networks that leverage commercial technology to deliver information to the emergency-response community, according to speakers addressing the subject at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials conference here...

Fed suggests interoperability liaisons in highest-risk cities 

By Glenn Bischoff

ORLANDO--A Department of Justice representative speaking yesterday at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials conference here proposed the creation of federally funded interoperability liaisons in the 10 cities at highest risk for a terrorist attack...