In a statement FCC Chairman Ajit Pai criticized wireless carriers for not quickly restoring service in areas affected by Hurricane Michael and said the carriers should waive the October bills of Floridians in the affected areas.

For the first time in years, new spectrum opportunities are opening for the critical infrastructure industries (CII) and private wireless communications users, although the FCC has not yet released final rules.

The FCC proposed a fine against Ocean Hinson of Surry County, North Carolina, for apparent intentional misuse of a local public-safety radio communications network.

Hurricane Michael had knocked out 18.8 percent of cell sites in an area covering parts of Florida, Georgia and Alabama as of Oct. 11, according to the FCC’s Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). One public-safety answering point (PSAP) was reported down as well.

Officials with ASTRID, Belgium’s national radio communications network operator for emergency services, said its TETRA network will continue to support public-safety users through at least 2025-2030.

The first-ever earthquake early warning in less than three seconds was successfully delivered Sept. 18 during a field trial by KVIE, the public television station based in Sacramento, California, using datacasting technology.

New Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards targeting the rail industry are moving forward alongside public-safety standards.

Four public-safety agencies filed a joint public interest statement supporting Hytera Communications in the patent infringement lawsuit Motorola Solutions filed against Hytera with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

Public-safety groups took wireless carriers to task in filings with the FCC regarding 9-1-1 location technology, saying a CTIA proposal is “unacceptable” and accusing carriers of trying to dilute the definition of dispatchable location.

Edward Parkinson was named acting CEO of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), following the resignation of Mike Poth at the end of September.