First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) officials are developing a process to verify AT&T’s nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) coverage. FirstNet also received its first sustainability payment from AT&T.

The number of “FirstNet Ready” certified smartphones has increased to seven from the original four. The phones are available to subscribers of First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) services.

AT&T announced it will launch narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) to meet the needs of business customers for a wide range of IoT solutions. AT&T plans to launch NB-IoT in the U.S. early next year, followed by Mexico by the end of 2019.

The Osceola County (Florida) School District and Florida State University (FSU) are implementing Mutualink’s real-time emergency interoperability solution. Leon County, home to FSU’s main campus, is also deploying the technology.

The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) released a statement noting its supports the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) as the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN).

A new study from TCCA highlights the need for commercial mobile network operators to participate in delivering next-generation critical communications solutions for societal and potential business benefits.

Results from a project involving the use of Zetron’s MAX call-taking system’s handset location data capabilities for incoming calls to public-safety agencies are available. The location identification functionality is a product of Zetron’s partnership with RapidSOS, which sends life-saving data from connected devices to 9-1-1 and first responders.

Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) released a new funding opportunity around mission-critical voice. PSCR is seeking applications for activities to measure the impact of impairments to mission-critical voice (MCV) systems and quantify the quality of experience (QoE) for first responders.

U.K. Home Office and public-safety officials researched the Kodiak push-to-talk (PTT) solution from Motorola Solutions for the country’s public-safety Long Term Evolution (LTE) network during a trip to the United States last week. The group is considering moving to the Kodiak technology rather than the previously planned Motorola WAVE 7000.

A report from ABI Research found the total mission-critical communications market for base stations, repeaters, handsets and infrastructure in 2022 will be US$10 billion. The North American market continues to account for more than half of this world market with the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific region in second place with a 20 percent market share.