44. Nationwide Broadband for First Responders with FirstNet CTO Jeff Bratcher

04/07/23 • 35 min

Hey there, 5G Guys Podcast listeners! Today, we're diving into the world of emergency response and the revolutionary technology that's making it all possible: FirstNet.

FirstNet is the first-ever nationwide, interoperable broadband network that's exclusively dedicated to first responders. It all started with the tragedy of 9/11, which led to the complete collapse of the New York cellular networks. In response, the US government formed the FirstNet authority, which was tasked with creating a nationwide network that would give first responders a dedicated channel for emergency communications, prioritized over commercial users.

We had the opportunity to speak with Jeff Bratcher, CTO of FirstNet, who provided us with a detailed history of the network and how it operates. With the help of AT&T, FirstNet dedicates 20 MHz of spectrum and billions of dollars to ensure that first responders have the resources they need to communicate during emergencies.

The network operates on cutting-edge technology, which allows for lightning-fast communication between first responders and their teams. It prioritizes emergency communications, so first responders can communicate seamlessly without any lag or interference. This means that in times of crisis, first responders can focus on saving lives without having to worry about connectivity issues.

Overall, FirstNet is a game-changer for emergency response. It's making our communities safer by providing first responders with the resources they need to do their job more effectively. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation with Jeff Bratcher and learn more about the incredible technology behind FirstNet. Thanks for tuning in to the 5G Guys Podcast with Dan and Wayne! As always, reach out to us via the links below and share your thoughts or episode ideas.

More Of What’s Inside:

FirstNet Authority website: FirstNet Authority | First Responder Network Authority
FirstNet portable connectivity: Portable connectivity: CRDs meet public safety needs in the field, on the road, along the fire line
Example of FirstNet in action: FirstNet - Preemption
FirstNet service website: Nationwide Broadband For First Responders & Public Safety at FirstNet

Connect With Us:

Sponsor Links:

Website: www.vertex-us.com

Website:

Website: https://5gguys.com

Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5Gguys
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12515882
Twitter: https://twitter.com/5gGuys

Submit Your Ideas or Feedback:

https://5gguys.com/contact-2

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:00 Sneak Peak and a word about our sponsor

1:25 Welcome to the show! Get to know Jeff Bratcher and FirstNet

10:39 The size of FirstNet across the country can be measured in terms of the number of agencies and users per megahertz of spectrum

18:55 How they actually make FIrstNet work

20:54 The interoperable carrier that is available across all agencies

23:44 Technical advancements born out of the partnership with ATT

30:35 From 4G LTE to 5G

Hey there, 5G Guys Podcast listeners! Today, we're diving into the world of emergency response and the revolutionary technology that's making it all possible: FirstNet.

More Of What’s Inside:

FirstNet Authority website: FirstNet Authority | First Responder Network Authority
FirstNet portable connectivity: Portable connectivity: CRDs meet public safety needs in the field, on the road, along the fire line
Example of FirstNet in action: FirstNet - Preemption
FirstNet service website: Nationwide Broadband For First Responders & Public Safety at FirstNet

Connect With Us:

Sponsor Links:

Website: www.vertex-us.com

Website:

Website: https://5gguys.com

Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5Gguys
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12515882
Twitter: https://twitter.com/5gGuys

Submit Your Ideas or Feedback:

https://5gguys.com/contact-2

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:00 Sneak Peak and a word about our sponsor

1:25 Welcome to the show! Get to know Jeff Bratcher and FirstNet

10:39 The size of FirstNet across the country can be measured in terms of the number of agencies and users per megahertz of spectrum

18:55 How they actually make FIrstNet work

20:54 The interoperable carrier that is available across all agencies

23:44 Technical advancements born out of the partnership with ATT

30:35 From 4G LTE to 5G

Previous Episode

43. A Glimpse Into The Future of 6G with Doug Kirkpatrick of Eridan

Will we be rebranding soon to the 6G Guys? Our guest today may have the answer!

We had the pleasure of hosting Doug Kirkpatrick, CEO and co-founder of Eridan, who shared fascinating insights about their game-changing technology, Miracle RFFE (Radio Frequency Front-End). This groundbreaking innovation aims to transform wireless radio technology and could potentially lay the foundation for the next generation of wireless networks.

Miracle RFFE brings a plethora of improvements to the table. With this technology, radio transmitters could use 7-8 times less power, be 3x smaller and lighter, and increase spectrum utilization by an impressive 10 fold. These advancements could lead to longer battery life for devices, faster and more reliable connections, and impact a wide range of applications, from smartphones and IoT devices to autonomous vehicles and satellite communications.

During our podcast, Kirkpatrick elaborated on the potential implications of Miracle RFFE for the future of wireless networks, including the much-anticipated 6G. As we're still in the early stages of 5G deployment, it's exciting to imagine what the future could hold with groundbreaking advancements like Eridan's Miracle RFFE. Could this be the stepping stone to even faster internet speeds, improved global connectivity, and more energy-efficient devices?

Eridan's Miracle RFFE technology has the potential to fundamentally change the landscape of wireless radio technology. With reduced power consumption, smaller and lighter components, and significantly increased spectrum utilization, we might be witnessing the beginning of a new era in wireless communication

So, will we, the 5G Guys, need to rebrand as the 6G Guys? Only time will tell! But one thing is for sure: the future of wireless technology is looking brighter than ever, and we can't wait to see how these innovations continue to shape our world. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the realm of technology! Let us know what you think happens next in the industry, reach out to us via the links below!

Connect With Us:

Links For This Episode:

Eridan Website: Home - Eridan
Eridan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eridanhq/
Doug Kirkpatrick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-kirkpatrick-579332a

Sponsor Links:

Website: www.vertex-us.com

Website:

Website: https://5gguys.com

Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5Gguys
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12515882
Twitter: https://twitter.com/5gGuys

Submit Your Ideas or Feedback:

https://5gguys.com/contact-2

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:34 Thank you to today’s sponsors
1:13 Get to know Doug Kirkpatrick
2:59 Peanut butter cups and Eridan
8:13 The highway analogy about generations and spectrum and how it ties to what Douglas is doing
14:29 The impact of radio at full power without additional levels of amplifiers
22:36 Are we looking at the same kind of security concerns from hardware radio to software radio?
25:17 The pathway to scale for this new technology
29:14 Will we see Eridan’s brand as an OEM at a cell?

Next Episode

45. AT&T's Robot Dogs and Drone Cell Sites with Art Pregler

Welcome back to the 5G Guys! Today we’re going to talk about some pretty cool technology that AT&T has been working on. You might be familiar with AT&T as your phone or internet provider, but did you know that they’ve been developing some amazing autonomous systems like robot dogs and flying COWs?

We have Art Pregler, Director of Network Engineering for AT&T, joining us on the podcast to talk about these amazing technologies and how they’re changing the game.

Art is responsible for implementing key telecom programs and overseas AT&T’s drone program, which includes terrestrial robots and autonomous systems. He explains how AT&T got started in this field, and how they saw an opportunity to provide connectivity to devices like drones and robots. These devices require connectivity to communicate and integrate with each other, and also need a way to provide data back to users on the ground.

Art and his team have developed a robotic dog. These dogs can be used for a variety of purposes, like sensing radiation, chemical and biological substances, and can navigate environments that are too dangerous for humans. They can even be used for search and rescue missions, and can work in tandem with drones to get a better view of the area.

AT&T’s technology is not just limited to military applications as you may think. They have started to work with first responders to use the robot dogs for bomb disposal and detection, and even had their technology on display at the Super Bowl. Art also explains how AT&T’s patented solution called Geo Cast allows the robots to understand their environment and make decisions on how to navigate it.

It’s amazing to see how technology like this is changing the way we approach situations that would be too dangerous for humans. AT&T’s autonomous systems are paving the way for a safer and more connected future. Who knows what they’ll come up with next? Thanks for joining us today!

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