In early 2019, the French Defense Innovation Agency (AID) launched the PRODEF challenge with the support of the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), the French government defense procurement and technology agency. The challenge was launched in order to enable French subject matter experts (SMEs) to propose innovative technology solutions to the challenges faced by the Ministry of the Armed forces in their mission to protect and defend air bases.

The Utilities Broadband Alliance (UBBA), formed earlier this year and spearheaded by founding member Anterix, formerly pdvWireless, is addressing the business case for private Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks for utilities, along with use cases and technology considerations.

Hytera Mobilfunk won an invitation to tender from the National Police in Peru to optimize the safety-critical communications of the emergency services.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) proposed a new transmitter and receiver license type, referred to as the area-wide apparatus license (AWL) type.

SatADSL, in support of the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), equipped its sub office in Baga Sola in Chad’s Lake Region with a T11N satellite to monitor the displacement people.

PrioCom announced a strategic partnership with TASSTA complemented with device partners Sonim Technologies and Telo Systems and network connectivity partner T-Mobile. This guarantees an end-to-end ecosystem for mission-critical communication based on industry standards in the Netherlands, the company said.

The FCC cited Jose Perez for programming unauthorized frequencies into a transmitter in violation of the FCC’s Part 90 rules. The commission directed Perez to cease and desist from programming transmitters to operate on frequencies for which they are not authorized and to avoid any recurrence of this misconduct. If Perez fails to comply with these rules, he may be liable for significant penalties, including fines of up to $20,134 per day.

Mission-critical push to talk (MCPTT) will be a hot topic at the 2019 Public Safety Broadband Stakeholder Meeting, scheduled July 9 – 11 in Chicago.

Motorola Solutions and the state of Michigan announced more than 100,000 mission-critical radio users on Michigan’s Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS).

Astronics, a provider of technologies for global aerospace, defense and other mission-critical industries, acquired Freedom Communication Technologies (FCT), a developer and manufacturer of communications test equipment for the land-based mobile radio market. Astronics acquired 100% of the equity of Freedom for $22 million in cash.