Nearly five months after the FCC's narrowbanding deadline, people are still talking about the mandate for users of two way radios to convert to 12.5 kHz technology. Among them is Al Ittner, Senior Manager of Spectrum Strategy for Motorola Solutions. Ittner was in Houston last week to speak at the Utilities Telecom Council's annual conference. His topic was "Narrowbanding: I Missed the Deadline.

Some executives shy away from social media networks or leave the tweeting to other professionals on their staffs. But Motorola Solutions Chairman & CEO Greg Brown sure doesn't appear to be one of them. Brown's Twitter feed (@GregBrownMoto) shows that he is a leader, is interested in politics, and loves his sports teams. "One of the most unbelievable Bulls games ever. One for the ages!" he said after a triple-overtime Chicago win on April 27.

The latest public notice from the Federal Communications (FCC) on its narrowbanding mandate confirms two points that should be of interest to organizations that depend on two-way radio communication. First, the FCC intends to go ahead with plans to verify compliance with the mandate, and second, users who have yet to make the technology switch can still avoid the promised penalties.

BearCom has announced that Paul Moore is the company's new Eastern Regional Director and that Rick Watson will replace Paul as General Manager of our branch office in Atlanta. I met Paul last June, when he spoke to me for our article on the Atlanta branch. In his new role, Paul will be responsible for all the branches in BearCom's Eastern Region, which stretches from New England to South Florida.

Read part one... As we look back on BearCom and its history as a company, we see it had its first successes in two-way radio rentals.

BearCom's wireless communications recent recognition as Motorola Solutions' top-volume dealer worldwide highlights again the amazing growth the company has enjoyed on its way to becoming the only nationwide dealer and integrator of wireless communications equipment. BearCom has been shaped by entrepreneurial leadership, a timely merger, and its association with some of the biggest events in the world.

BearCom typically sends a large contingent to Motorola Solutions' annual Channel Partner Expo (CPE), and this year was no exception, as about 40 of us traveled to Las Vegas for three days of meetings, motivation, and some world-class recognition for BearCom. Some 3,000 people from 800-plus Motorola Solu

Remember when wireless technology meant a doctor with a pager or a high-priced lawyer with a cell phone the size of a shoebox? So much has changed since then, with thousands of new devices, more powerful networks, and faster and faster data transmissions. The wireless industry has put cell phones in the hands of six of every seven people on the planet, even as two-way radios have improved and expanded their own loyal following. So what's next?

BearCom is adding the new Vertex Standard EVX-531 two-way radio to our product line, and officials here are predicting it will be a popular choice among customers looking for a talk-and-listen radio with dual analog and digital functionality.

Two-Way Product Line

"The Vertex EVX-531 fits perfectly into the simple talk-and-listen space that is still the most popular," said BearCom's Product & Purchasing Manager, Hugh Johnston.

Flying between our Seattle and Chicago branches last week, I was over South Dakota when I noticed a most unusual—but entirely appropriate—application for video surveillance cameras: large agricultural operations. Back at BearCom, I did a little research and came across the story of Joel Foxley, who farms with his brothers near the South Dakota town of Platte. He told The Daily Republic newspaper how he installed his first video surveillance camera a year and a half ago and now has 15 cameras keeping watch over his equipment, fuel, grain bins, and grounds.