NPSTC is continuing its role as trusted advisor to the public safety community and is announcing the re-activation of the NPSTC task group for Assessing Future Spectrum and Technology (AFST).  The AFST group will assess how the "digital transformation" will affect spectrum needs, technology, operations, and interoperability for public safety communications.

The Assessment of Future Spectrum, Technology, Operations/Interoperability and Public Safety Digital Transformation (AFST) 2022–2032 project will forecast changes over the next 10 years.  The previous NPSTC AFST task group published the "Public Safety Assessment 2012–2022, Technology, Operations & Spectrum Roadmap" final report on June 5, 2012.  The prior version can be found at https://npstc.org/npstcReports.jsp under Spectrum and is the starting point for the 2032 publication.  NPSTC is considering adding a fourth area for public safety communications as part of an IoT-enabled smart city.

The work will be structured similarly to the prior version with working groups to develop a minimum of four sections of the report:  Spectrum, Technology, Operations/Interoperability, and Digital Transformation.  If needed, these groups can be expanded or added to.

NPSTC will receive support from its newest NPSTC Associate Member: Canada-based PSBN Innovation Alliance (PIA).  Executive Director Anthony Odoardi has volunteered resources to assist in the administration of the project, stating, "The PIA will firmly support this important NPSTC initiative by providing meaningful and tangible assistance for technical and organizational elements of the project as needed.  The PIA is proud to support the work of NPSTC and their members in order to push this key publication forward.  The PIA is also pleased to participate with technical and engineering staff on the work streams to help bring a true North-American perspective to this generational AFST publication." NPSTC is grateful for this support from its Canadian partners.

There are so many changes happening in public safety communications.  We expect this will be a lengthy process (12-18 months) with a lot of input from the community, industry, government, academia and other interested parties.  As with all of the work in NPSTC, this effort is open to anyone who is willing to contribute and participate in the conference calls as this work is developed.  NPSTC is a transparent organization that welcomes everyone to the table.

If you have an interest, please sign up by subscribing to the listserve at AFST2032+subscribe@groups.io or visit the volunteer page at https://npstc.org/outreachConnect.jsp.

We hope to schedule our first discussion in March, so please sign up as soon as possible.  If you have any questions about this project, please contact Marilyn Ward at (803) 960-4339 or email support@npstc.org.

Please join us for any of the upcoming February meetings.  The screen share link for all NPSTC meetings is: https://join.me/npstcsupport1

LMR to LTE Integration Working Group
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  869-9040#

Spectrum Committee
Friday, Feb. 11, 2022
1 – 2 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  446-1830#

Technology and Broadband Committee
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022
2 – 3 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  446-1830#

Cybersecurity Working Group
Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022
1 – 2 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  869-9040#

Broadband Emerging Technologies Working Group
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022
Noon – 1 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  869-9040#