Grant Seiffert joined the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) as vice president of workforce development and executive director of the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP).

The FCC is asking for comments on a petition for rulemaking from an amateur radio operator with backing from wireless expert Theodore Rappaport, continuing the amateur radio debate about whether to exclude encrypted communications.

The National Institute of Standards in Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division announced two new competitions to advance public-safety communications with research and development (R&D) to support first responders.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected up to $36 million in research projects that will advance solar energy’s role in strengthening the resilience of the nation’s electricity grid.

A demonstration of the LTE4PMR solution using realistic conditions took place in the national training center of the French gendarmerie national in Saint-Astier, near the city of Périgueux in southwestern France. The demonstration proved that police officers can transmit encrypted multimedia information through a new Long Term Evolution (LTE) system.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) announced plans to develop a road map to enhance the FirstNet network. The board also endorsed a set of principles to guide FirstNet’s financial investments in the network and signed an agreement with a university regarding rural emergency response.

GeoLinks, a California-based telecommunications provider and competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) public utility, installed and provided high-speed, low-latency, symmetrical data connections to 88 high-definition, pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras throughout Southern and Northern California to provide critical situational awareness during wildfire events. In collaboration with ALERTWildfire; University of California San Diego; University of Nevada, Reno; CENIC; Southern California Edison (SCE); and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E), the multihazard camera technology provides data related to fire ignition points critical in informing situational awareness and wildfire response.

Amateur radio educator Carole Perry, WB2MGP, was named the first recipient of the newly established Carole Perry Educator of the Year Award, presented Feb. 9 by Orlando HamCation. The award, to be given annually in Perry's name, recognizes outstanding dedication in educating and advancing youth about amateur radio.

Critical Communications Europe (CC Europe) will take place in conjunction with the BAPCO Annual Conference & Exhibition for the first time 12 – 13 March at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, United Kingdom.

Nedaa, the Dubai government secure networks provider, and University of Dubai (UD), an initiative of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, joined forces to be actively involved in the human capacity development and lifelong education of locals.