2020 was a busy year for the industry as the COVID-19 pandemic forced first responders to find new ways to provide services and a variety of regulatory actions drastically changed the spectrum landscape.

The fourth quarterly Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) plenary e-meetings of 2020 recently concluded. At these December meetings, 3GPP momentum continued with more Release 17 (R17) progress.

The National Tribal Emergency Management Council (NTEMC) is coordinating logistics and packaging food and medical supplies to support tribal nations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic across 32 states. And, it has turned to FirstNet for much-needed connectivity.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) board authorized funds for an initial generational upgrade to the FirstNet network core at its Dec. 9 meeting.

The first resources and tools from a public-private grant partnership are expected to be released in 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to alter its operations, but officials said the nationwide public-safety broadband network is continuing its forward momentum.

Airgain announced it is collaborating with AT&T on field trials and orders for its AirgainConnect high-power user equipment (HPUE) product, in preparation of the FirstNet HPUE service launch.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) awarded Jeff Lane, the recently retired chief of Gainesville (Florida) Fire and Rescue, the Harlin R. McEwen Public-Safety Broadband Communications Award.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) expanded its usage of FirstNet, awarding AT&T a mobility contract for additional FirstNet capabilities to support the FBI's day-to-day and emergency operations. The agreement, valued at approximately $92 million, is the largest commitment to FirstNet by a law enforcement or public-safety agency.

Sonim Technologies’ XP5s phone is among the initial devices approved for FirstNet Push-to-Talk (PTT), the nationwide mission-critical standards-based PTT solution.