Earlier this month, CTIA and representatives from the nationwide wireless providers met with FCC officials to discuss adopting an alternative nationwide Z-axis benchmark that will deliver ±3 meter vertical location information for what the carriers said would be far more wireless 9-1-1 calls than can be achieved under the FCC’s existing benchmark.

The FCC has permitted unlicensed devices to share the 6 GHz band with public-safety and critical infrastructure industries (CII) microwave systems. By permitting such sharing without first demonstrating that co-existence can work in the field, there is a dangerous risk with disastrous consequences.

Indoor public-safety equipment provider Fiplex Communications published a call to action to inspire a renewed industrywide commitment for achieving emergency first responder communications. The call to action urges the public-safety ecosystem to expand and accelerate the deployment of in-building public-safety communications networks by focusing innovation and technology that overcomes the underlying challenges of all stakeholders.

The federal classification for telecommunicators and securing funding for next-generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1), as well as the next revision of its i3 NG 9-1-1 standard, all remain key priorities for the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), said NENA President Brian Fontes.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are calling for research proposals in support of improved disaster resilience.

Motorola Solutions completed the acquisition of IndigoVision, a U.K.-based provider of end-to-end video security solutions.

A partnership of crisis management stakeholders developed a set of free and open tools designed to accelerate innovation in the field. The DRIVER+ project promotes crisis management innovation, capability building and networking in an era of coronavirus pandemic and climate change emergencies.

EE, part of BT Group, signed an agreement with Nokia to build what it called an industry-first nationwide LTE air-to-ground network for the emergency services across Great Britain. The air-to-ground network will seamlessly integrate with the national Emergency Services Network (ESN) ground network.

New First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) customers were a driving force for AT&T’s financial growth during the first quarter, AT&T executives said during a pair of conferences June 16 – 17.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) board approved $218 million for two network upgrades: transitioning the FirstNet core to 5G technology and adding to FirstNet’s fleet of 72 deployables.