Data interoperability project nears completion 

By Glenn Bischoff

ORLANDO--A project begun in January to develop standards that would let a variety of public-safety agencies share data across multiple vendor platforms is scheduled to conclude next month, according to officials speaking yesterday at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials conference...

September is earliest date for Senate telecom vote 

By Donny Jackson

As expected, the U.S. Senate this week all but assured it will not vote on a communications-reform bill that includes several 911-related provisions, meaning Congress will have wait until September to consider the legislation...

Cable, satellite firms confirmed as bidders in auction 

By Donny Jackson

A group of cable providers and a partnership of satellite-TV companies are among the approved bidders for the advanced wireless services (AWS) spectrum auction that is scheduled to begin next Wednesday...

House passes emergency-communications bill 

By Donny Jackson

The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would create a national interoperability office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and mandates that equipment purchased with DHS grants comply with interoperability standards...

Cable firms may bid in August auction 

By Donny Jackson

A group of cable operators aligned with Sprint Nextel is among the potential bidders for the advanced wireless services (AWS) auction scheduled to begin Aug. 9—a development that could impact the wireless carrier, should the cable firms pursue the airwaves in earnest......

Michigan police seek federal comment on 700 MHz proposal 

By Donny Jackson

The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) yesterday announced approval of a resolution urging Congress and the FCC to allow public comment on the controversial 700 MHz public-private partnership proposed by Cyren Call Communications...

A blast from the past 

By Glenn Bischoff

Last month, Dr. Bill Munn, who spent more than two decades as the executive director of the Tarrant County 911 District headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, before retiring in January, began his second term as president of the National Emergency Number Association. Much has changed since Munn’s first term in 1997. MRT caught up with Dr. Munn for an exclusive interview during NENA’s annual conference in Pittsburgh last month...

FCC proposes new spectrum for medical devices 

By Donny Jackson

The FCC yesterday approved a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to create a MedRadio band from 401-406 MHz that would allocate an additional 2 MHz of spectrum for radio transmissions from implanted and body-worn medical devices...

Public-safety groups unite behind E-911 funding effort 

By Donny Jackson

Public-safety organizations supporting the Congressional E-911 Caucus yesterday called for the U.S. Senate to fund grants as part of the Enhance 911 Act approved in 2004...

Court says FCC can proceed with auction 

By Donny Jackson

A federal appeals court last week ruled that the FCC can auction 90 MHz of advanced wireless spectrum as planned beginning Aug. 9, rejecting a petition from small businesses to delay the auction until the commission change new rules regarding regulations affecting smaller bidders...

Senate communications bill calls for broadened 911 funding 

By Donny Jackson

The Senate Commerce Committee yesterday approved a controversial communications-reform bill that would let $1 billion in funding earmarked for first-responder interoperability also may be used to pay for technology upgrades for public-safety answering points (PSAPs)...

Sprint Nextel highlights rebanding progress for first year 

By Donny Jackson

Significant progress has been made in clearing Channel 1-120 licensees in the 800 MHz reconfiguration, Sprint Nextel announced yesterday, which marks the first official anniversary of the rebanding project...

Senate committee seeks acceleration of interoperability funds 

By Donny Jackson

Senate Commerce Committee members yesterday decided by voice vote to approve an amendment to the massive communications bill making $1 billion in interoperability funds available to first-responder agencies this fall...

FCC seeks comments on Katrina panel recommendations 

By Donny Jackson

FCC commissioners this week announced their decision to solicit public comment on a series of recommendations, including facilitating first-responder interoperability, made by an independent panel in the wake of multiple communications failures caused by Hurricane Katrina...

TA releases details on ‘fast-track’ planning option 

By Donny Jackson

Licensees affected by the 800 MHz rebanding process can apply for planning funding under streamlined guidelines released by the Transition Administrator (TA) last week...