Police and counter-terrorism authorities are investigating acts of arson against mobile phone masts in the United Kingdom. Industry association GSMA said it condemns these acts of violence designed to weaken communications networks in a time of crisis.

The FCC reminded authorized alert originators, including state and local governments, that the wireless emergency alert (WEA) system is available as a tool to provide life-saving information to the public during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

In November, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) assessed small, commercially available drones for priority needs of first responders through its First Responder Robotic Operations System Test (FRROST) program. FRROST took place over four days, with a different drone assessed each day.

AT&T announced new developments around the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) including a limited mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) introduction, free smartphones with contracts and the first high-power user equipment (HPUE) certifications.

Direct mode, also called device-to-device (D2D) communications — or more precisely, the lack of it — is seen to be one of the main risks in moving from narrowband professional mobile radio (PMR) technologies exclusively to broadband Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)-based solutions. However, at times, the root cause is lost in the discussion.

Good education and training, meticulous equipment management and as much advanced planning as is practical are critical for public-safety agencies to effectively serve their communities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, said fire officials whose agencies have been on the frontlines of the battle against the virus.

AT&T outlined initiatives to help First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) subscribers respond during the COVID-19 pandemic. The carrier is adding coverage and devices where needed, and FirstNet apps are helping agencies better address response to the national emergency.

The FCC pushed back the start of the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) Auction 105 until July 23 and postponed indefinitely Auction 106 given the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 700 individuals have registered as members of the Crisis Management Innovation Network Europe (CMINE), a pan-European platform to foster knowledge sharing and cooperation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the network is a platform to stimulate discussion between actors of the crisis management community and has seen a significant increase in content and other exchanges between members during recent weeks.

The Project 25 Technology Interest Group (PTIG) highlighted accomplishments and work in progress for 2020 from the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) TR-8 committee. New work includes addressing interference with 700/800 MHz cellular systems and security features, among others.