Short Term LTE Projects Can Provide Some Real World Experience

8/3/2012 Update:  The FCC has made it possible for atleast two agencies to go live with their LTE projects.  The interoperability showings from Charlotte, NC and the State of Texas were approved this week, allowing them to stay down the path in which they have invested so much time, energy and money already.  The order also outlines a very clear path for obtaining  Special Temporary Authority (STA).

This post was originally released May 30, 2012:

Alcatel-Lucent recently deployed a Public Safety 700 MHz LTE broadband network to enable video in real time and enhance security for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rowing championships in West Windsor, New Jersey on May 25-27. 

Cameras were posted strategically around Lake Mercer, with a central monitoring location, for the championship events to allow for quicker response to medical and safety emergencies.  This is the first time in the nation that LTE has been utilized at a large-scale water event.  Video from the feed was also utilized for the media and public to view the event, indicating that Public Safety LTE capacity allows for prioritization of mission-critical operation while still supporting non-critical components.

Opinions have been circulating about whether Public Safety entites should move forward with their LTE Broadband projects, for funding, procurement, and experience purposes.  Many say that FirstNet would greatly benefit from case studies of ongoing 700 MHz projects by waiver recipients, but the NTIA recently released a formal statement requiring agencies to halt their 700 MHz projects until further notice, i.e. when the progress of system design and economics of the network are further along.  The hope is that precious resources will not go to waste on incompatible equipment purchases and installation.  Also, FirstNet is hoping to secure as many contracts as possible with agencies, and this will give more opportunities for waiver recipients to get on board instead of being forced to opt out.

But what about the knowledge to be gained from letting agencies design, construct, and implement their 700 MHz Broadband projects?  FirstNet should take smaller projects into consideration , such as the Alcatel-Lucent NCAA project.  Although these are small scale, temporary projects, they can be perceived as little pieces to a much larger puzzle.  Interoperability, prioritization, coverage, licensing, and hardware issues can be uncovered and resolved, even throughout small or temporary projects.


Update: EMR Emissions is not the only publication that is talking about LTE Pilots. Check out the Urgent Communications article on this.