Emergency services could get a boost after a major communications company was told it will receive a grant to help establish an enhanced 911 network.
AT&T will receive a grant that would allow it to create an internet-based network that would be more reliable and provide greater accuracy in assigning calls to the appropriate agency, Illinois State Police director Brendan Kelly and statewide 911 administrator Cindy Barbera-Brelle announced… READ MORE
SYCAMORE – The ability to text a 911 operator in DeKalb County remains months away, but progress in implementing the system is inching forward, according to local emergency personnel.
DeKalb County E911 Coordinator Heather Butler said during a Wednesday emergency telephone system board meeting that the equipment for the county’s Next Generation 911, or NG911, system largely has been installed throughout the county and that emergency response agencies are now working to install the system’s data component. However, she also said the county recently was informed they received an Illinois state grant for $223,223.20 to fund the next five years of the NG911 system’s mapping software and management of its server, equipment, installation, training and project oversight… READ MORE
CHICAGO – Illinois officials announced Wednesday upgrades are coming to the state’s 911 network.
AT&T was chosen among numerous vendors to develop the new Internet-based NG911 Network which is intended to cut down response times and increase interconnectivity among law enforcement agencies.
The new network will eventually allow residents to text 911 as well as send pictures and video to operators… READ MORE
The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau released a Public Notice last week announcing that it will begin accepting 900 MHz broadband segment applications. In May 2020, the FCC realigned the 900 MHz band to make available six megahertz of low-band spectrum for the development of critical wireless broadband technologies and services, while reserving the remaining four megahertz of spectrum for continued narrowband operations.
Last week, a draft order was circulated among the FCC Commissioners that would stay the 4.9 GHZ Band Order that it adopted in September 2020. In the Order, the Commission adopted rules permitting expanded use of 50 megahertz of mid-band spectrum in the 4.9 GHZ band, allowing one statewide band licensee per state to lease some or all of its spectrum rights to third parties… READ MORE
Scotts Bluff County commissioners could decide in the coming weeks how the county would like to proceed on radio and communications center improvements.
On Monday, April 19, Scotts Bluff County Commissioner Mark Harris had been among the audience members as the 911 advisory committee met and discussed costly upgrades that are proposed for the county’s communications centers. Upgrading the county’s communications system is estimated at $7.2 million, and local entities, such as police and fire departments within the county, would be responsible for purchasing their own radio equipment. Harris outlined those discussions to commissioners during Monday’s meeting… READ MORE
