NENA Praises White House Commitment to Funding Public Safety Broadband
On June 29, NENA issued a statement in support of the White House’s effort to provide funding for public safety broadband.
Click here to read the press release.
NENA CEO Testifies in Support of Next Generation 9-1-1(?) Preservation Act of 2010 and Public Safety Broadband Act of 2010
On June 17, NENA CEO Brian Fontes testified before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Click here to read the testimony.
Discussion Draft of Public Safety Broadband Act of 2010 Introduced
On June 15, a staff discussion draft of the Public Safety Broadband Act of 2010 was introduced. This is a bipartisan bill coming out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee primarily focusing on generating substantial funding for a nationwide public safety wireless broadband network.
Click here to read the draft.
E9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chairs Send Letter to FCC on 9-1-1 Fee Diversion
On June 15, the Co-Chairs of the E9-1-1 Caucus sent a letter to the FCC raising the issue of 9-1-1 fund diversions and asking the FCC to consider any jurisdictional it has, or may need, to address the issue.
Click here to read the letter.
FCC Releases Comprehensive Analysis on Network Capacity for Nationwide Mobile Public Safety Broadband Network
On June 15, the FCC released a report concerning their analysis of network capacity issues for a nationwide public safety broadband network.
Click here for the news release.
Click here for the capacity white paper report.
National Broadband Plan Support Letters
On May 24, NENA sent letters to the House and Senate expressing support for the many important public safety recommendations contained in the National Broadband Plan. As stated in the letter, while public safetys spectrum needs are very important, there are many important recommendations in the NBP, particularly the need for sustainable funding, that are not receiving proper attention while the debate is only focused on the D Block and public safety spectrum needs. Whether or not the D Block is ever allocated to public safety, our intent with this letter is to raise the profile of the recommendations contained in the National Broadband Plan that are supported by public safety, but, in our opinion, are not currently receiving sufficient attention (especially funding).
Click here for the letter to the House.
Click here for the letter to the Senate.
NENA Urges Support for Funding Recommendations in National Broadand Plan
On May 18, NENA sent a letter to Larry Strickling, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), thanking NTIA for making available broadband stimulus funds for public safety wireless broadband projects. In the letter, NENA urged NTIA and Congress to build on this initial step and fully support the funding recommendations contained in the FCC’s National Broadband Plan.
Senate Adopts 9-1-1 Education Month Resolution
On April 14, the United States Senate adopted Senate Resolution 482 recognizing April 2010 as “National 9-1-1 Education Month.” The measure was co-sponsored by E9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Richard Burr (R-SC).
Next Generation 9-1-1 Preservation Act of 2010 (HR 4829 / S 3115) Introduced by E9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chairs
On March 16, the FCC submitted the National Broadband Plan to Congress, including significant recommendations concerning Next Generation 9-1-1 and the establishment of a nationwide public safety wireless broadband network. Public safety issues are covered in Chapter 16 of the Plan.
Feb. 18 – FCC Outlines Public Safety Provisions In National Broadband Plan
On Feb. 18, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau outlined the public safety recommendations that are expected to be included in the National Broadband Plan. The recommendations address NG9-1-1, the establishment of a nationwide wireless public safety broadband network, emergency alerting and cybersecurity.
FCC Presentation (see slides 40-47)
Feb. 18 – FCC Announces New Date for Forum on Establishment of Emergency Response Interoperability Center
The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has rescheduled its public forum to discuss the creation of an emergency response interoperability center (ERIC) for public safety broadband communications. The event will now be at the FCC on Tuesday, March 2 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
Feb. 5 – FCC Seeks Information for Report on State 9-1-1 Fee Collection and Use
On Feb. 5, the FCC issued a Public Notice seeking information on 9-1-1 fees collected by states and other jurisdictions pursuant to Section 101 of the Net 911 Improvement Act of 2008. The Public Notice indicates that the FCC will mail letters to the various state and Tribal officials seeking specific information surrounding the collection of 9-1-1 fees, including those states that have diverted 9-1-1 revenues for unintended purposes. The FCC is asking for a response by March 23, 2010.
Jan. 15 – NTIA/RUS Release Second Broadband Stimulus Notice of Funds Availability
On Jan. 15, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) issued the second Notice of Funds Availability (NoFA) for their respective Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). The deadline for filing applications is March 15. More information on the programs is available at https://broadbandusa.gov.
Jan. 14 – NENA Comments On Potential Impact o 9-1-1 System of FCC “Open Internet” Proceeding
On Jan. 14, NENA submitted comments to the FCC in response to its Open Internet/Net Neutrality Notice of Inquiry. NENA identified possible 9-1-1 implications of the proposed rules and urged the FCC to consider the potential effects on the 9-1-1 system by the proposed rules.
Jan. 4 – NENA Provides Input to NHTSA 2010-2015 Strategic Plan
On Jan. 4, NENA submitted comments in response to a U.S. Department of Transportation Public Notice seeking suggestions on the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency, along with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), administers the National E9-1-1 Implementation and Coordination Office (ICO).
Dec. 21 – NENA Responds to FCC Notice Seeking Information on Transition from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to an All-IP World
On Dec. 21, NENA responded to an FCC Public Notice seeking comment on the types of issues the FCC should consider if it were to issue a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on the implications of the transition from the circuit-switched PSTN to an all IP-network.
Dec. 11 – NTIA Urges the FCC to Include NG9-1-1 In National Broadband Plan
On Dec. 11, Larry Strickling, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the President’s principle telecommunications advisor, sent a letter to the FCC encouraging the Commission to include provisions on the importance of NG9-1-1 in the National Broadband Plan.
Dec. 8 – DHS Releases FY 2010 Grant Application Guidance
On Dec. 8, the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Application Guidance for 13 DHS grant programs, including the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP) and the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). The release includes more than $2.7 billion available in Federal funding to assist State and local governments in strengthening preparedness.
DHS FY 2010 Application Guidance
Dec. 4 – NENA & APCO File Joint Wireless Location Accuracy Comments
On Dec. 4, NENA and APCO submitted wireless location accuracy comments to the FCC in reply to comments filed jointly by T-Mobile, the Rural Cellular Association, and the Rural Telecom Group.
Dec. 1 – NENA Responds to FCC Public Safety Broadband Notice # 14
On Dec. 1, NENA submitted comments to the FCC in response to a Public Notice seeking information on broadband deployment for public safety in rural and tribal areas, as well as information on broadband-enabled emergency services for individuals with disabilities.
Nov. 20 – NENA Files Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy Requirements Comments with the FCC
On Nov. 20, NENA filed brief comments with the FCC indicating our continued support for the county level compliance approach that we supported last year.
Nov. 18 – NENA Offers Compromise on Public Safety Wireless Broadband Network
On Nov. 18, NENA reached out to other public safety organizations in an attempt to reach a consensus on legislation to enable a nationwide wireless public safety broadband network, including the critical issue of funding.
Nov. 12 – NENA Responds to FCC Public Safety Broadband Notice # 8
On Nov. 12, NENA submitted comments to the FCC in response to a Public Notice seeking information on NG9-1-1, public safety mobile broadband use, cyber security, and emergency alerting.
Nov. 5 – FCC Bureaus Address Internet-based TRS Geographic Numbering and E9-1-1 Issues
Oct. 16 – NENA Files Comments on 700 MHz Public Safety Waiver Requests
Sep. 28 – National 9-1-1 Office Awards Over $40 Million in 9-1-1 Grants
On September 28, the National E9-1-1 Implementation and Coordination Office (ICO) awarded over $40 million in grants to thirty states and territories. The grants are for wireless Phase II E9-1-1 upgrades and the migration to IP-enabled 9-1-1 systems.
Sep. 24 – NENA CEO Testifies at Wireless Public Safety Broadband Network (D Block) Congressional Hearing
On September 24, the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet held a hearing titled A National Interoperable Broadband Network For Public Safety: Recent Developments. Among the witnesses were NENA CEO Brian Fontes.
Aug. 14 – NENA Offers Principles and Alternative Proposals on Nation-wide Public Safety Wireless Broadband Network
On August 12, NENA submitted a letter to FCC Chairman Genachowski laying out principles and proposals for the Commission to consider as it deliberates on its next steps regarding the D Block and the establishment of a nation-wide public safety wireless broadband network.
Jun. 8 – NENA Responds to FCC National Broadband Plan Notice of Inquiry