The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board approved a $358 million budget package to fund the agency’s operations and potential network investments in fiscal year 2023 (FY23). Meeting August 17 in Los Angeles, the board allocated the majority of the FY23 budget for enhancements and upgrades to the FirstNet network.

A National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) official detailed the results of a next-generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) grant program during the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International conference August 8 – 10.

The FCC provided updates on several regulatory matters related to public safety during a session at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Official (APCO) International Conference August 8-10.

Motorola Solutions acquired Barrett Communications. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Motorola Solutions asked an Illinois district judge to hold Hytera Communications in contempt of court after Hytera failed to make its first court-mandated royalty payment.

Semtech, a leading global supplier of high-performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, and Sierra Wireless, an internet of things (IoT) solutions provider, announced a definitive agreement under which Semtech will acquire all outstanding shares of Sierra Wireless for US$31 per share in an all-cash transaction representing a total enterprise value of approximately US$1.2 billion, subject to customary closing conditions.

Emergency communications centers nationwide are suffering from personnel shortages, which have reached the crisis stage. All may find some relief from workforce optimization.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) division launched its Public-Safety Immersive Test Center in Boulder, Colorado in May.

A variety of industry associations, service providers and user agencies responded to an FCC request for comments on the use of location-based routing for public-safety answering points (PSAPs). Many commenters focused on whether or not the FCC should require providers to provide location-based routing.

Registration for the 7th European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) MCX Plugtests, which will take place in Malaga, Spain, from 7-11 November.