The first tests for mission-critical push to talk (MCPTT) interoperability will take place in a few weeks. From June 19 – 23, a plugtest offers vendors a unique opportunity to validate and test products with real implementations and debug prototypes, while contributing to the standards validation effort, said industry officials.

As we all know, coverage is imperative for mission-critical communications. If you don’t have a signal, you can’t communicate. Our new e-book covers all the essential pieces to ensure strong LMR and broadband coverage.

The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) published a white paper on broadband data implications for rural EMS organizations. The paper highlights unique issues facing rural EMS agencies and examines how public-safety broadband communications may be used to support and enhance EMS service delivery.

Nokia, together with State Security Networks Group, Finland's public safety network provider, and Telia Finland successfully trialed the use of network features developed by Nokia that ensure public-safety communications are given priority over any other voice or data traffic in busy 4G/Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks.

The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Wireless Group (APT-AWG) unanimously approved a new recommendation harmonizing 700 – 800 MHz for Long Term Evolution (LTE)-based public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) spectrum.

An AT&T executive said the company plans to begin building the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) public-safety Long Term Evolution (LTE) network later this year.

xG Technology announced that its Vislink business received orders valued at more than $600,000 for high-definition (HD) airborne video downlink systems from county law enforcement agencies located in California and Florida.

Airbus Space and Defence created an application ecosystem for mobile hybrid devices in the field of public-safety and critical communications. Application developers can now register free for the Airbus SmarTWISP program.

The 5G network, augmented reality, machine learning and other innovations are delivering options to rapidly advance the power of smart cities technology. The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) released “Smart Cities Technology Roadmap” to help city planners know what’s on the horizon so that they can start developing technology visions.

Motorola Solutions executives reported earnings results for the first quarter of 2017 and discussed the future landscape with public-safety Long Term Evolution (LTE).