Asia is a key market for critical communications systems for transport. Many developing countries are investing massively in transit systems. China, for example, adds 450 subway stations on average every year. By 2020, Beijing and Shanghai will have 1,050 and 970 kilometers of subway, respectively, making their networks among the longest in the world.

Full Spectrum elaborated on its participation in the development of the new IEEE 802.16s wireless standard for the industrial internet of things (IIoT). The standard enables secure wireless connectivity for critical applications such as electric grids, nuclear facilities, water, gas and hazardous pipelines, transportation such as rail and autonomous vehicles, and homeland security.

The FCC streamlined and modernized the authorization requirements for most RF devices, such as cell phones or TV receivers, that are imported, marketed or operated within the United States. This decision continues the FCC’s ongoing efforts to provide greater flexibility and reduce the burdens associated with certain equipment authorization rules.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking information on the scope and sufficiency of efforts to educate and train the nation’s cybersecurity workforce and recommendations for ways to support and improve that workforce in both the public and private sectors. Responses to a request for information (RFI) are due Aug. 2.

The FCC took action to revise and clarify its rules to promote more effective spectrum access for wireless microphone operations in the TV bands, the repurposed 600 MHz band and other frequency bands. The commission also proposed to address the wireless microphone needs of certain small professional theater, music, performing arts and similar organizations.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Singapore Technologies (ST) Electronics and GomSpace signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the application and deployment of space-based VHF communications for air traffic management (ATM) in and around the Singapore Flight Information Region (FIR).

The Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Inspector General initiated a multipart audit to address a request from Sen. John Thune, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, to review positive train control (PTC) federal funding.

In July 3 reply comments, the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) clarified its support of a waiver filed by Bristol-Myers Squibb requesting use of airport terminal use (ATU) UHF channels at five plant locations in New Jersey and Connecticut.

Teltronic, a subsidiary of Hytera Communications, was awarded a public tender by Metro Madrid to supply further TETRA onboard radio equipment for Madrid Metro, Spain, building on a relationship that began in 2003.

Lawmakers introduced legislation to combat cyber attacks and cyber crime against U.S. computer networks. The Promoting Good Cyber Hygiene Act instructs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to establish a baseline set of voluntary best practices for good cyber hygiene that are made available online.