The US National Association of State Chief Information Officers has set successful implementation of FirstNet state plans as one of its top priorities for 2017. [ + ]

Connectivity, reliability and interoperability are challenges for everyone, but especially so for authorities with responsibilities in rural and regional areas. [ + ]

University of Liverpool researchers are trying to devise liquid antennas that are small, transparent and have better reconfigurability than metal antennas. [ + ]

To mark 100 years of Finland's independence, Finnish amateur radio operators are being allowed to use the special OF call sign prefix. [ + ]

New Zealand rescue authorities responded to more than 450 rescue beacon alerts in 2016, including incidents in the air, on land, and on the seas and waterways. [ + ]

US electric utility Cobb EMC has gone with PowerTrunk and Sepura technology to upgrade and expand its TETRA network. [ + ]

Ticketing is open for the joint ARCIA WA Industry Dinner and Networking Event and Comms Connect conference, to be held on 16 March. [ + ]

More accurate location and additional caller information will be received during an emergency call, following a partnership between Zetron and RapidSOS. [ + ]

Tait Communications will assist Power and Water Corporation with an upgrade to its mobile workforce communications system. [ + ]

An auction of spectrum licences in the 700 MHz band will take place in April 2017, and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is inviting applications from prospective participants. [ + ]

Following DAMM's success in South American markets, the company has appointed a new regional manager to be based in Brazil. [ + ]

The Local Government Association of South Australia has looked at lessons learned in the wake of communications difficulties encountered during September's storms. [ + ]

NATA accredited testing is now available from EMC Technologies. [ + ]

The upgrade of the C3 (Critical Communication Caribbean) TETRA network in the Antilles will be undertaken by Rohill. [ + ]

Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies and AT&T will conduct 5G interoperability testing and over-the-air field trials this year, based on new specifications being developed by 3GPP. [ + ]