David Farnes @davidfarnes - Tumblr Blog

Provinces are making amateur radio operators an official part of extreme-weather planning

From the Globe & Mail. A wise idea to include the amateurs in planning for emergency communications - not just for weather related events. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-amateur-radio-hams-extreme-weather-provinces-wildfire-floods/

Backhaul Spectrum

ISED has published a new consultation. SMSE-007-25 is a consultation on a policy, technical and licensing framework for the bands 21.2–21.8 GHz and 22.4–23 GHz to accommodate the fixed service in order to increase backhaul capacity. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/node/2332

Emergency Alerts

The CRTC is consulting on how to improve Canada's public alerting system. The CRTC will naturally focus on areas under its regulatory domain with a focus on how alerts on delivered. It would be nice to see a broader national review to improve the use of the system, make it more consistent across the country, and develop national best practices. A review that would include input from Canadians.

Flexible Use Broadband Equipment Operating in the Band 27.5-28.35 GHz

The first issue of Radio Standards Specification (RSS)-193 has been published by Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/devices-and-equipment/radio-equipment-standards/rss-193-flexible-use-broadband-equipment-operating-band-275-2835-ghz RSS-193 sets out the requirements for the certification of flexible use broadband equipment, used in fixed and/or mobile services, operating in the frequency band 27.5-28.35 GHz.

Farnes & Associates

Farnes & Associates is a leading independent consulting firm specializing in wireless telecommunications. The firm is recognized for its expertise in areas such as mobile payments, spectrum management, and public policy, offering strategic guidance to clients navigating the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape. With a proven track record of reliability and accountability, we pride ourselves on building strong, lasting relationships with our clients.

Core Services

Wireless Telecommunications Consulting: Expert advice on regulatory, technical, and business challenges in wireless communications.

Spectrum Management: Strategic planning and policy support for spectrum allocation and utilization.

Public Policy Advisory: In-depth analysis and recommendations on telecommunications policy, standards, and regulatory issues.

Leadership

Farnes & Associates was founded by industry veteran David Farnes, whose background includes senior executive roles in prominent organizations such as the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA). The firm leverages decades of experience to provide clients with trusted counsel and innovative strategies.

Contact the founder: [email protected].

The craziest thing happened! Mike from @itsmunchieswithmike and I were at the coffee shop recording our video for our Feed 50 People for $2

#crazy #food #deals #charity

Feed 50 people for $20 challenge! I’m teaming up with Mike from @itsmunchieswithmike to see if we can feed 50 people on the street for $20!

#food bank #food #charity

How to use Checkout 51

#youtube

Use of alert system delayed during deadly flash flooding in Nova Scotia: report

This article appeared in the Globe yesterday: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-use-of-alert-system-delayed-during-deadly-flash-flooding-in-nova/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

This is yet another report with recommendation similar to so many other after incident reports in the past.

Another incident, another report, more of the same recommendations. Same commentary too, "hopefully the lessons will not be forgotten or ignored”.

It is well past the time to conduct a national review of the Public Alerting system we have in Canada. Let's improve it so our public safety officials have the confidence to use it. If there are problems, let's fix them.

#public alerts #public safety #ng911

Apple’s SOS and Crash Detection Services

Interesting letter from CRTC staff to Apple, seeking information regarding Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite service and the company’s crash detection services. The letter requests a lot of information about how the services operate, how they connect with public safety answering points, and what the future plans are for the services in Canada. The letter also asks Apple to explain why it doesn’t consider the services to be a telecommunications service (which could require Apple to register as a telecom provider with the CRTC). There are questions about the crash detection service and why it creates false positives resulting in calls to reach 9-1-1 when no emergency exists (something that is causing concern within the 9-1-1 and first responder community). You can find the letter here: https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2023/lt230301.htm

#Apple 9-1-1 CRTC

Fair Procurement?

As someone running a (very) small business, it is very discouraging to see the magnitude of the dollar value of contracts that Ministers and other elected leaders can award on a sole source basis. The procurement rules at all levels of government appear to only apply to small businesses. To be fair, the rules seem to apply at the bureaucratic level of government too. I can only imagine the frustration of having to jump through so many hurdles to award contracts that only marginally exceed the threshold for sole sourcing, while watch million-dollar awards at the cabinet level.

I have won and lost on tendered contracts. No problem losing on merit. I have also lost to bidders that could not meet the minimum mandatory requirements (sound familiar City of Ottawa?). It is so frustrating.

Free research idea for PhD students – calculate how much taxpayer money is spent annually to manage a procurement process that is fair, open and transparent, and meet public expectations in matters of prudence and probity. Add it all up – the staff, the IT supporting staff, the training and, dare I say it, the consultants hired to design a fair system! Compare those costs to the value of contracts that circumvent the system or add those costs to the overall waste of government!!

Keep the power on!

Nova Scotia seems to be unhappy with the performance of telecoms during major weather events. https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/64th_1st/3rd_read/b198.htm

Shouldn’t the province focus on keeping the power grid functioning? After all, telecoms, banks, gas stations all need power to function.

NG 9-1-1

Pleased to be assisting the Government of New Brunswick as it transitions to NG9-1-1. Important CRTC Decision here: Modification of the next-generation 9-1-1 framework to accommodate hosted call handling solutions for public safety answering points

Rules for RLAN Devices in Canada

RABC response to SMSE-002-17, Consultation on rules for RLAN Devices Operating in the Band 5150-5250 MHz - https://lnkd.in/d4XwC3W

#wireless #spectrum #communications

The first Bayer Grants4Apps Meet-up in Canada!

We are pleased to invite you to the first Bayer Grants4Apps Meet-up in Canada!

Bayer’s Grants4Apps program offers support to digital startups and developer teams across the globe. This program invites these teams to submit innovative healthcare projects such as novel software, hardware, technologies, or processes that contribute to improving health outcomes.

The first Canada Meet-up Bayer’s Mississauga office will take place on Wednesday, February 22, at 6pm, which will bring together individuals engaged in health solutions from industry, Bayer, academia, entrepreneurs and startups. The objective of the Meet-up is to host a community to discuss the importance of digital health, while providing an opportunity to network.

This meeting will also introduce participants to Bayer’s Grants4Apps program and introduce the Canadian-based version of the program. The meeting agenda is shown below:

Opening Remarks: 6:00 to 6:05 pm

Eric Ruggirello & Doreen DSouza

Speaker: 6:05 to 6:30 pm

Joe Caffazo, Senior Director, University Health Network

Networking: 6:30 to 7:30 pm

Please RSVP to Jessica Confalone [email protected].

Bayer is located at: 2920 Matheson Boulevard East, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 5R6.

On behalf of Shurjeel Choudhri and the Bayer Innovation Council, looking forward to seeing you there.

J. David Farnes, Mobile Health Lead, Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance

#mhealth #innovation #ehealth

FCC sets 600 MHz Clearing Target

Mobile auction to begin at the end of May.