CACN

Leadership Milestone at CACN!

After more than 50 years of groundbreaking work in public safety communications, Dr. Walt Magnussen, founder of Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center (ITEC), now the Center for Applied Communications and Networks (CACN), is retiring.

From his early days in the U.S. Air Force to founding the ITEC at Texas A&M, Dr. Magnussen has been a visionary leader in advancing NG911, 5G, and Mission Critical Push-to-Talk technologies. His legacy continues as CACN evolves to meet the future of secure, interoperable communications.

Walt will be recognized at the Center's annual Interop Institute as the 2025 Lifetime Achievement in Public Safety Communications Honoree.

November 18, 2025
Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center
https://www.interopinstitute.com/
Please join us in celebrating Walt’s incredible contributions and lasting impact on the field.

Texas A&M University

We are thrilled to announce that the Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center (ITEC) has officially transformed into the Center for Applied Communications and Networks (CACN). This rebranding marks a significant milestone in our journey, broadening our focus to encompass cutting-edge communications and network technologies in applied settings.

As part of this transition, CACN will now operate within The Texas A&M University System aligning more closely with the System's goals of innovation, education, and research excellence. This move enhances our ability to support system members with our expertise in next-generation wireless networks and mission-critical communications systems.

Michael Fox, Executive Director of CACN, shared, "This name change, and organizational transition reflect our commitment to advancing the future of communication and networking technologies. Being part of The Texas A&M University System allows us to leverage an unparalleled network of expertise and resources to tackle real-world challenges effectively."

CACN will continue to lead groundbreaking projects and foster collaboration with industry leaders, academic institutions, and government agencies. Together, we are dedicated to driving progress, enhancing connectivity, and shaping the future of communication and network systems.

Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting new chapter!

Calling All First Responders
Join Us for ATAK Training at Interop Institute 2025!
📅 Thursday, April 10, 2025
🏢 TEEX Disaster City, College Station, TX
👮‍♂️ Open to All Government Registrants
Instructor: Brandon Alberd, Texas TAK Program Manager

This course is designed for experienced public safety TAK users looking to become certified TAK instructors.
🔹 Train the Trainer Certification
✅ Complete the two-part ATAK 101 Train the Trainer course
✅ Afternoon session continues the certification process
✅ Students from the previous ATAK 101 T-t-T will apply their skills by planning, distributing, and executing a mission packet
💡 Not interested in becoming a trainer?
You can take Part One and still receive four hours of TCOLE credit!
Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your TAK expertise!

To sign Up click link below
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeN5zs8fU6Z4HDdybiLoR5SSpJ20PbjjAiYZwQc-EJqn2ShtA/viewform

Intrested in attending Interop Institute 2025 full event click below to register
https://www.interopinstitute.com/participate

Exciting Announcement!

We’re proud to partner with Verizon Frontline for Interop Institute 2025! Together, we’re advancing innovation and interoperability to shape the future of public safety.

Join Us at Interop 2025 – The Future of Public Safety Interoperability!
📅 April 7-11, 2025 | 📍 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center

Interop 2025 is the leading event for industry leaders, researchers, government agencies, and public safety professionals to address key communication interoperability and emergency response challenges.

🔗 Register today for Interop 2025!
https://www.interopinstitute.com/participate

Exciting Partnership Announcement!
We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Synderys for Interop Institute 2025! Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of innovation and interoperability to shape the future. 🌐✨

Mark your calendars and get ready for an incredible event filled with insights, collaboration, and cutting-edge solutions.

Learn more about this year’s event:
https://www.interopinstitute.com

🚨 Next-Generation 911: Shaping the Future of Public Safety 🚨

We’re proud to debut the NG911 Interoperability video, created through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Next Generation 9-1-1 Interoperability Testing Program, a project lead by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute at the University of Illinois and Texas A&M University System Texas A&M Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center (ITEC).

This initiative underscores the critical role of NG911 standards development and rigorous technology testing in revolutionizing emergency response.

🔍 Why Standards and Testing Matter:
NG911 builds on open, standards-based frameworks to ensure all 911 systems can communicate seamlessly—whether sharing voice, text, video, or data. Through collaborative testing and evaluation, we’re addressing interoperability challenges, identifying gaps, and ensuring that new technologies perform reliably under real-world conditions.

🌐 With NG911, first responders gain access to richer, real-time information to make faster, life-saving decisions when every second counts.

🙌 A Special Thanks
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to those who participated in interviews for this video. Your expertise, insights, and dedication to public safety have been instrumental in highlighting the importance of NG911 technology and its impact on saving lives.

Charles Guddemi
DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
Sridhar Kowdley
DHS Science and Technology Directorate
Brian Tegtmeyer, ENP
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA
James Kinney
NG9-1-1 Interoperability Task Force
Budge Currier
National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA)
Brian Fontes
National Emergency Number Association
Fredrik R.
Polish Police Assn Inc
John Holloway
Defense Information Systems Agency
Michael Fox
Walt Magnussen
Anjuli (A.J) Renold

🔗 Watch the video to see how these advancements are transforming the future of emergency response!

NG911 Phase 2B Video

Exciting news!
We are thrilled to collaborate with RapidDeploy for the Interop Institute 2025! Together, we aim to drive innovation and enhance interoperability to shape the future of public safety.

Join Us for Interop 2025!
📅 April 7-11, 2025
📍 College Station, Texas

Interop 2025 is the premier event for industry leaders, researchers, government agencies, and public safety professionals to tackle critical challenges in communication interoperability and emergency response.

🔗 Learn more:
https://www.interopinstitute.com