[November 09, 2012]

Oceus Files FirstNet Comments at NTIA

Oceus Networks, a market leader in delivering 4G LTE (News - Alert) broadband networking solutions, made a filing today at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in response to a Notice of Inquiry on network design and business plan considerations for the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).

NTIA sought comments on a conceptual network architecture, named the FirstNet Nationwide Network (FNN). FirstNet will use the inputs to shape efforts for the interoperable public safety broadband network, to be established under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act.

Oceus Networks made recommendations for enhancing the FNN proposal to "future proofing" the network to accommodate current public safety requirements and critical future needs, including those in less developed wireless markets. Oceus Networks recommended that local and state public safety agencies be given some degree of control over how services and applications are provisioned and used on the network in their jurisdiction. Oceus Networks also asked NTIA to clarify a strong positive ole for federal government users who will also be dependent on the network to meet first responder requirements.

Oceus Networks offered proposed enhancements to the FNN Proposal that will help achieve three objectives to serve first responders: (1) Increasing network resilience by disaggregating key components closer to public safety users; (2) Promoting the use and adoption of the network by state and local public safety entities through more local autonomous control; and (3) Encouraging more widespread use of the network, specifically by federal public safety users and secondary users.

In its filing, Oceus Networks stated: "The reliability and availability of the network for public safety users would be better served by placing many core capabilities as close to cell-sites as possible. This architecture builds resiliency into the system by enabling continuous operation if access to the FirstNet core is disabled, as could be the case in a natural disaster or terrorist attack."

Oceus Networks recommended that greater reliance on small cell deployments would improve in-building coverage. Oceus Networks also proposed ways to reach underserved areas of certain rural and small markets that may not otherwise have access to 4G LTE services from existing carriers. "To achieve operational capability as quickly as possible, these markets require the ability to deploy fill-in network components that are more flexible than that of a traditional fixed terrestrial system," Oceus Networks wrote. Factors proposed for FirstNet consideration to reduce the cost for these areas includes use of low-cost micro cores with distributed Home Subscriber Server and the ability to work with multiple Radio Access Network vendors.

About Oceus Networks

Oceus Networks provides broadband solutions to governments and industry that enable them to deliver high-speed voice, video and data communications. The company delivers open, standards-based mobile and fixed network infrastructure as well as an extensive portfolio of public sector-focused solutions to simplify and expedite the deployment of wired and wireless broadband communications solutions. Oceus Networks is a U.S. company with headquarters in Reston, Virginia, with labs in Reston and Plano, Texas. Visit www.oceusnetworks.com to learn more.

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