Law enforcement officials from around the country emphasized the importance of strong social distancing policies in keeping law enforcement officers healthy and on duty amid the COVID-19 pandemic, during a March 27 webinar hosted by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and FirstNet, built with AT&T.

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.

NWN, a technology service provider, expanded its offerings with tailored solutions for first responders, including secure online communications, collaboration and mobile devices, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The specialized first responder packaged is tailored to help police, fire and ambulance services work together to protect communities

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford recently addressed public television station managers to share his vison about the future of the Army’s information and communications technology needs. He spoke about leveraging existing infrastructure and capabilities to improve information sharing, resiliency and readiness for the Army. He acknowledged that the commercial sector is developing and deploying advanced technology that the Army can use to effectively meet these needs. Crawford said that taking advantage of these developments, rather than creating everything internally, can speed deployments and better equip and inform our troops.

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.

The U.S. Naval Air Systems (NAVAIR) selected Hughes Network Systems to provide satellite communications systems integration for the U.S. Coast Guard on its HC-27J aircraft. Under the $3.5 million agreement, Hughes will integrate beyond-line-of-sight (BLoS) systems to strengthen the Coast Guard's airborne communications on the move (COTM), including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR).

Digital Ally received a multiyear upgrade order from the Box Elder Sheriff’s Department in Brigham City, Utah, for 18 of its in-car camera systems paired with 18 body-worn cameras, built-in auto-activation technology and migration to the firm’s cloud storage solution hosted by Amazon Web Services.

Hytera's intelligent manufacturing center in Shenzhen has maintained production despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The flexibility built into the center has also allowed Hytera to manufacture disposable face masks to help offset the global shortage caused by the virus.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) unanimously approved changes to the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) charter. The PSAC was created to advise and guide FirstNet to ensure public safety’s needs are met with the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NSPBN).

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.