U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo appointed Renee Gordon, director of the City of Alexandria’s Department of Emergency Communications, to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority).

AT&T announced that first FirstNet connections reached approximately 4 million across more than 23,000 agencies.

The latest set of Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Plenary electronic meetings (e-meetings) concluded on September 19. The meetings focused on Release 18 (R18) which is currently in progress. R18 will become the inaugural release for 5G Advanced that includes new innovations toward the 5G vision. The plenary e-meetings made solid progress on the study items and work items that form the basis to advance the agreed upon R18 features. The following reports discuss the current status of R18 work.

More than 200 people attended the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association’s (PSBTA) Vision 2022 conference, which is a FirstNet users’ conference and tradeshow. The show took place in Las Vegas from September 19-21. Visitors included FirstNet Eligible users including first responders, dispatch, emergency planning and management personnel, hospitals, public utilities and transportation; their technical support teams; and administrative leadership.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) began accepting applications for its open CEO position.

Multiple industry organizations submitted filings supporting the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority) application for renewal of its license for the 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum. The National Sheriff’s Association (NSA) also filed comments expressing some concerns about the FirstNet Authority and industry partner AT&T.

AT&T announced that it expanded its 5G support for the FirstNet network and detailed its work to improve in-building coverage and 9-1-1 resiliency in Tennessee.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) filed an application with the FCC to renew the license for its 758 – 769/788 – 799 MHz, or Band 14, spectrum.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) hired a recruitment firm as part of its search for a new CEO.

Officials from AT&T and the Safer Buildings Coalition (SBC) detailed the organizations’ joint efforts to improve in-building coverage for first responders during the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International conference earlier this month.