--- title: First Steps for Next in Wireless description: Learn about the latest Request for Proposal (RFP) for wireless communication in the FIRST® Robotics Competition, aiming to improve system components and accelerate the process. --- Written by Kevin O'Connor, Robotics Engineer, & Kate Pilotte, Kit of Parts Manager. Members of the community that have been around awhile may be aware that every few years *FIRST* Robotics Competition takes steps toward locking in key elements of the program that ensure the immediate future of the competition, be it control system components, venue contracts, trophy needs, etc. The first step to these efforts is the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP), and today we want to let you know that we’ve published an RFP for the wireless communication (Robot ↔ Driver Station, Robot ↔ Field ↔ Driver Station) part of the system. Historically, the wireless component was bundled with the control system RFP, but has evolved to be a separate piece, allowing us to accelerate the RFP process of it independently. The current solution, the Open Mesh radio, has many useful features (e.g. bridge/access point capability, open firmware, small form factor, etc.) and will be compared with and evaluated against the proposals received. The RFP is posted here, and all are invited to express intent to participate and provide a proposal.  ** [FRC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/frc) #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/2018-first-steps-next-wireless) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/2018-first-steps-next-wireless) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/2018-first-steps-next-wireless) ![Default Author Image](https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Community%20Blog%20v2/images/FIRST-author-icon.svg) Author [FIRST Staff](https://community.firstinspires.org/author/first) These blog posts have been contributed by members of *FIRST* staff. *FIRST* is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Manchester, N.H. ### Related Posts ** [FRC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/frc) A NEW Woodie Flowers Tradition is coming to an event near you, in 2022!!! February 14, 2022 ** [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone) "Girls of Steel: Fostering the Feminist Future of Robotics" (Ms. Magazine) July 25, 2019 ** [FRC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/frc) Priority Waitlist Slot Releases March 18, 2022 ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1200203950045814&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&event=PageVisit&noscript=1)