Friday fragments: news from around the web

The US government’s First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) has released 10 RFIs, requesting information from vendors and stakeholders on deployment options across the radio access network (RAN) and the core network. The RFIs cover: network partnering and RAN provisioning; antenna systems; microwave backhaul equipment; deployables; satellite service; enhanced packet core; transmission/transport; data centres; network and operations management centres; and network service platforms.

Have you heard of OSI? I hadn’t either, but apparently our digital world and the internet, which is based on TCP/IP, could have been a very different beast indeed if the Open Systems Interconnection standard had gone ahead. For a while during the 1980s, it looked as though OSI would become the worldwide computer network model. But it fell by the wayside and the internet as we known it was born. It’s a fascinating story.

The Australian Emergency Management Institute is presenting a number of courses for emergency planners and others. Courses include ‘Establish and manage a recovery centre’, ‘Develop and organise public safety awareness programs’ and ‘Facilitate emergency planning processes’. More details on the AEMI website.

The FCC in the US is intending to auction off four wireless bands, including one used for military purposes, freeing up spectrum for wireless operators. The proposal covers the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz and 2155-2180 MHz bands.

And finally, a true shaggy dog story. A blind woman, Maria Colon, was in bed late one night when she was awakened by sounds from downstairs. She heard voices and the responding growl of her guide dog, Yolanda. Yolanda scared away the intruders and then did what she was trained to do - she pushed the big button on the phone that would connect directly through to 9-1-1 emergency and then brought the phone to Maria.