FirstNet Approves $82 Million Budget for 2020
The budget will focus on supporting public safety engagement, continued oversight of the deployment of the nationwide public safety broadband network, and future investments in the network. Keep Reading
AT&T Welcomes PrestoTech to the FirstNet Dealer Program
PrestoTech Solutions has joined AT&T's FirstNet Dealer Program, through the AT&T Alliance Channel. As a FirstNet dealer, PrestoTech can now sell FirstNet services to eligible current and future public safety customers. Keep Reading
Emergency Communications Pilots Planned Following TechFest at Google
The TechFest was designed to encourage nationwide efforts to improve technologies in support of public safety communications and response, particularly for people with limited English proficiency. The event included participation from technologists, public safety leaders, language service providers, and trade associations. Keep Reading
GAO Wants T-Band Use Extended After Finding ‘Significant Challenges’ in Relocating Public Safety Communications
In three of the four metropolitan areas examined in the review, officials had not found a T-Band alternative. Keep Reading
911 Education Month: Bill Wants Dispatchers Reclassified as Protective Service Occupation
Rep. Torres said that after spending more than 17 years as a 911 dispatcher, she understands "firsthand the challenges our public safety dispatchers face." Keep Reading
Puerto Rico Lures Tech Developers as Hurricane Season Looms
“The biggest crisis after Maria was communication,” said Nazario Lugo, president of Puerto Rico’s Association of Emergency Managers. “That unleashed an endless number of problems.” Keep Reading
Seattle Coast Guard Warns of Jail Time, Hefty Fines After Hoax Mayday Calls
Officials said that at 5:05 p.m., a child’s voice was heard over VHF–FM radio Channel 16 saying that his boat was on fire and sinking. Keep Reading
FirstNet Expands and Encourages Industry Innovation for First Responders
Parkinson noted that global smart community spending will reach $158 billion by 2022 with officer wearables and vehicle-to-everything connectivity generating the fastest growth in smart community spending. Keep Reading
GAO: Steps Needed to Improve External Emergency Communications
Some stakeholders identified communication challenges as well as opportunities for OEC to improve communication. For example, approximately one quarter (26 percent) of SWICs said that OEC does not communicate training well. Keep Reading
FirstNet Momentum: More Than 3,600 Public Safety Agencies Subscribed
That's a nearly 50% increase in the number of agencies subscribing to the nationwide public safety communications platform in less than 2 months. Keep Reading
