Communications

Homeland Security Delegation Visits Asia for Emerging Tech Ideas

An agency group is going abroad for ideas about 5G, artificial intelligence, machine learning and cybersecurity.

  • By Frank Konkel

Transportation Is Consolidating Its IT Contracts into a Single Vehicle

The Enterprise IT Shared Services contract will be available departmentwide but task orders will have to flow through the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Amazon’s Plan to Capture Space Data

Amazon launched a new service that can port data from commercial satellites directly into its cloud.

  • By Frank Konkel

How FEMA Could Help Avoid Another Missile Alert Mishap

State and local authorities are responsible for sending and rescinding alerts but FEMA can—and says it will—require the underlying infrastructure be more user-friendly.

  • By Aaron Boyd

IRS Spent Millions to Set Up Virtual Assistance Centers That No One Is Using

Of the millions of taxpayers looking for help last year, only 2,700 used the Virtual Service Delivery stations.

  • By Aaron Boyd

For State CIO Leadership, Strong Communication Is More Important Than Tech Expertise

Major takeaways from NASCIO’s annual survey of state chief information officers.

  • By Michael Grass

NSA Finalizes $6.7 Billion in Classified Tech Contracts

After two years, the NSA finished rebidding its “Groundbreaker” program and is beginning work on a secretive new set of communications contracts.

  • By Frank Konkel

There’s One Less Option for Agencies Now on GSA’s Next-Gen Telecom Contract

With last year’s acquisition of Level 3 by CenturyLink, the companies’ offerings on the Enterprise Infrastructure Services contract have been consolidated.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Agencies Should Rethink Their Communications in an Era of Leaks

Both government organizations and political campaigns must rethink how they communicate, as channels once thought to be secure are not.

  • By Kristi Perdue Hinkle

FirstNet to Offer Emergency Drop Kits Creating a ‘Connected Bubble’ to First Responders

AT&T’s team is also working with states to get a liaison in every emergency operations center.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

GSA Official: Next-Gen Telecom Contract Is An Opportunity For Transformation

Agencies should think of the move to the Enterprise Infrastructure Services contract as more than a transition.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Huawei Pushes Back Again on FCC Proposal That Would Hurt Its Business

FCC officials say the Chinese telecom poses a national security threat to U.S. networks.

  • By Joseph Marks

How Using Open Wi-Fi Could Get Safer

A standard called Enhanced Open aims to make using free networks more secure than it is now.

  • By John Breeden II

Schumer, Rubio Seek to Reverse Trump Reversal on ZTE Ban

Trump wants to help ZTE as part of a U.S.-China trade deal, but lawmakers say the company’s a national security risk.

  • By Joseph Marks

FCC Bans Surprise Phone Charges

The agency is also cracking down on surprise network switching.

  • By Caitlin Fairchild

Huawei Slams FCC Efforts to Bar It From Federal Communications Program

Government officials say the Chinese telecom poses a hacking threat to national security.

  • By Joseph Marks

ZTE Kerfuffle Shows Cybersecurity Doesn’t Operate in a Vacuum

Lawmakers have decried the president’s efforts to reverse a ban on a Chinese telecom, citing security fears, but there’s a lot more at stake.

  • By Joseph Marks

FBI Considering One $5 Billion Contract For All IT Supplies, Services

A request for information sheds light on the FBI’s upcoming IT Supplies and Support Services contract, including the bureau’s preference to include all such services in a single contract.

  • By Aaron Boyd

AT&T Won Secret $3.3 Billion NSA Contract Despite More Expensive Bid

Legal documents shed light on one of NSA's most important tech contracts.

  • By Frank Konkel

$17.5 Billion Defense IT Contract Award Survives Four Protests

DISA’s ENCORE III contract is now open and ready for use after the Government Accountability Office dismissed several protests.

  • By Aaron Boyd