The future for Public Safety LTE is more than just database queries and dispatch. We are seeing the sharing of text messages, maps and location tracking, sensor information, photos and videos. Adoption of new technology is accelerating - consider police video. For decades, it consisted of a camera in a car, recording to a videotape, then putting that tape in storage. A few years ago, technology made it possible to record video digitally, embed dispatch information, and retrieve it in seconds. Today, we’re talking about the future of live video streaming and analysis software, which for Public Safety is cutting-edge technology, but tomorrow will be indispensable.
This is why we are seeing public safety organisations around the world planning how to leverage Public Safety orientated LTE networks, and trying to figure out what model they will adopt.
When Public Safety agencies are evaluating how to access LTE, there are two key things to consider: Spectrum and Network. Is the spectrum dedicated, or shared? Is the network dedicated, or shared?
I would like to propose that rather than there being one or two deployment options, the choices users are making could better be described on a continuum. The ends of which are easy to define: private dedicated, public shared; but the variations between these ends are many and the decision on which approach to take will depend on the key aspects of spectrum, timing and resources.
THE DEDICATED NETWORK
Several organisations in the United States are deploying dedicated networks on dedicated spectrum. LA-RICS, the LTE network serving the emergency services in Los Angeles County, operates using dedicated 700 MHz spectrum that was allocated for use by Public Safety in 2011. FirstNet, the nationwide first responder LTE network planned for the United States, is also expected to follow this model. It’s a logical choice as spectrum has been made available and it sits next to frequencies dedicated to the existing narrowband Public Safety radio networks.
The advantage of the dedicated approach is obvious: Control. With full ownership of spectrum and network, organisations can decide how the network is deployed, who gets to participate and how bandwidth will be allocated. The network can be custom-designed for the needs of public safety agencies and infrastructure can be deployed where needed. The challenge is the availability and cost of the spectrum and the ability, time and cost, to roll out a completely new network infrastructure.
THE SHARED NETWORK
The converse approach is shared spectrum and shared network. In this space the UK is paving the way with their LTE Emergency Services Network (ESN) that the UK Government announced contracts for in December 2015. Leveraging network infrastructure and spectrum supplied by the commercial carrier, EE, the ESN will have to meet strict service level agreements to ensure it provides the coverage, capacity and availability needed by public safety users. There are also plans to extend connection into other networks to provide Extended Area Services that will deliver coverage to geographies that are currently uncovered, such as underground metro systems or air traffic above the reach of the carrier network.
The benefit of this approach is that it provides immediate access to an existing LTE network – including infrastructure, devices, and support personnel – and is the only option where there isn’t spectrum available to dedicate to public safety LTE. This approach obviously requires cooperation and negotiation between the government, Public Safety agencies and commercial carriers.
OTHER NETWORK MODELS
There are other models to consider. For example, Mexico is looking at a hybrid approach with dedicated spectrum and a shared network. In Australia, TELSTRA, Ericsson and Motorola announced that they are developing next-generation push-to-talk communications for the Public Safety market, integrating and extending traditional radio networks via LTE broadband.
No matter the approach, the deployment of a Public Safety LTE network will require spectrum, resources, and importantly, collaboration.
David Parry is Director, EA Marketing.
David is on LinkedIn
Follow #PublicSafetyLTE, #ThinkPublicSafety and @MotSolsEMEA on Twitter.
Blog
Proven Design for Public Safety Author: Danielle Doo
When we are designing mission-critical equipment we really do listen to our customers. So it's them we should thank when we get recognised for product design excellence. And we've received lots of recognition recently with seven new awards so far this year for superior product design. These cover our new Video Speaker Microphone, TETRA radios and accessories, and even a novel consumer radio.
Our solutions were recognised by two global design awards programs: Red Dot and iF. These German-based organisations have recognised product design excellence for more than 50 years. In each competition, our solutions were among more than 5,000 submitted from organisations around the world.
“We’ve been very successful in design awards competitions because of our user-centred, purpose-built design approach,” said Chief Technology Office (CTO) Design Director LanTing Garra “We solve tough problems and big challenges for our customers with beautifully designed product solutions.”
We received awards for four solutions:
Si300/Si500 video speaker microphones (Red Dot award). Combining a body-worn video camera with a radio remote speaker microphone, the Si300/Si500 uses innovative design to reduce the number of devices first responders wear in the field. It features a high-resolution camera, rugged display and wireless connectivity that allows it to interact with other devices. The Si500 uses a simplified, touch-based user interface and serves as an applications platform.
MTP8000Ex TETRA two-way radio (Red Dot and iF awards). Built for the unique conditions present in firefighting, petroleum and other hazardous, explosion-prone environments, this series of TETRA radios was recognized for its ATEX-certified rugged design, which includes an ergonomic T-shaped form factor with a dual display (front and top) and textured push-to-talk button that makes use easier when wearing heavy gloves.
ATEX active noise-cancelling (ANC) remote speaker microphone (RSM) (Red Dot and iF awards). The ANC RSM provides enhanced audio with “wind porting” that allows a user’s voice to be heard while eliminating surrounding noise. It also features exaggerated controls that are easy to use while wearing protective gear and a rugged housing for emergency and volume controls, which are large for quick access but protected to avoid accidental activation or adjustment. The ATEX rating means it can be used in hazardous environments.
TALKABOUT T480 emergency radio for consumers (Red Dot and iF awards). The T480 includes a built-in flashlight, FM radio and weatherproof design in a device that allows families to get weather alerts and communicate during an emergency, power outage or mobile phone disruption.
These awards are the result of collaboration between the CTO and Products & Services, Garra explained. “Our products have been recognized in international design competitions for more than 20 years,” she said, “and close collaboration between the CTO and the Devices organization is a key factor in our success. Our partnership brings innovation to reality.”
Find out more about the Red Dot Awards here and the iF awards here.
Well done team and thank-you customers!
Danielle Doo is a Solutions Marketing Manager at Motorola Solutions.
Follow @MotSolsEMEA on Twitter.
A Continuum of Public Safety LTE Networks Author: David Parry
The future for Public Safety LTE is more than just database queries and dispatch. We are seeing the sharing of text messages, maps and location tracking, sensor information, photos and videos. Adoption of new technology is accelerating - consider police video. For decades, it consisted of a camera in a car, recording to a videotape, then putting that tape in storage. A few years ago, technology made it possible to record video digitally, embed dispatch information, and retrieve it in seconds. Today, we’re talking about the future of live video streaming and analysis software, which for Public Safety is cutting-edge technology, but tomorrow will be indispensable.
This is why we are seeing public safety organisations around the world planning how to leverage Public Safety orientated LTE networks, and trying to figure out what model they will adopt.
When Public Safety agencies are evaluating how to access LTE, there are two key things to consider: Spectrum and Network. Is the spectrum dedicated, or shared? Is the network dedicated, or shared?
I would like to propose that rather than there being one or two deployment options, the choices users are making could better be described on a continuum. The ends of which are easy to define: private dedicated, public shared; but the variations between these ends are many and the decision on which approach to take will depend on the key aspects of spectrum, timing and resources.
THE DEDICATED NETWORK
Several organisations in the United States are deploying dedicated networks on dedicated spectrum. LA-RICS, the LTE network serving the emergency services in Los Angeles County, operates using dedicated 700 MHz spectrum that was allocated for use by Public Safety in 2011. FirstNet, the nationwide first responder LTE network planned for the United States, is also expected to follow this model. It’s a logical choice as spectrum has been made available and it sits next to frequencies dedicated to the existing narrowband Public Safety radio networks.
The advantage of the dedicated approach is obvious: Control. With full ownership of spectrum and network, organisations can decide how the network is deployed, who gets to participate and how bandwidth will be allocated. The network can be custom-designed for the needs of public safety agencies and infrastructure can be deployed where needed. The challenge is the availability and cost of the spectrum and the ability, time and cost, to roll out a completely new network infrastructure.
THE SHARED NETWORK
The converse approach is shared spectrum and shared network. In this space the UK is paving the way with their LTE Emergency Services Network (ESN) that the UK Government announced contracts for in December 2015. Leveraging network infrastructure and spectrum supplied by the commercial carrier, EE, the ESN will have to meet strict service level agreements to ensure it provides the coverage, capacity and availability needed by public safety users. There are also plans to extend connection into other networks to provide Extended Area Services that will deliver coverage to geographies that are currently uncovered, such as underground metro systems or air traffic above the reach of the carrier network.
The benefit of this approach is that it provides immediate access to an existing LTE network – including infrastructure, devices, and support personnel – and is the only option where there isn’t spectrum available to dedicate to public safety LTE. This approach obviously requires cooperation and negotiation between the government, Public Safety agencies and commercial carriers.
OTHER NETWORK MODELS
There are other models to consider. For example, Mexico is looking at a hybrid approach with dedicated spectrum and a shared network. In Australia, TELSTRA, Ericsson and Motorola announced that they are developing next-generation push-to-talk communications for the Public Safety market, integrating and extending traditional radio networks via LTE broadband.
No matter the approach, the deployment of a Public Safety LTE network will require spectrum, resources, and importantly, collaboration.
David Parry is Director, EA Marketing.
David is on LinkedIn
Follow #PublicSafetyLTE, #ThinkPublicSafety and @MotSolsEMEA on Twitter.
British-APCO 2016 - The Video Interviews Author: Jen Rolfe
B-APCO 2016 22-23 MARCH, TELFORD, UK
This year's show was buzzing. Everyone was talking about the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) for the UK and much more. 2016 clearly marks an exciting opportunity for public safety communications. We are pleased to share some short video interviews we shot during the show that we hope capture lots of the news and highlights.
Welcome to British APCO 2016 - David Parry gives us an overview of our participation in the show and some highlights such as our part in ESN, ESN transition services, CommandCentral Vault, TETRA and LTE devices and more...
Smart Public Safety Solutions and CommandCentral - Steve Beach explains the challenges facing Polices Forces today coping with the mass of information available in their control rooms and shares how solutions based around CommandCentral can enhance existing solutions to get the right intelligence to officers in the field in real time.
ESN - An Overview - John Muench is the Programme Director responsible for delivering User Services as part of the UK's new Emergency Services Network (ESN). John explains how User Services including network device and application testing and a service operations centre will contribute to the complete ESN solution.
G-Cloud Solutions - WAVE and DragonForce - Andy Gill explains what G-Cloud is and how it provides WAVE (PTT) and DragonForce (workforce collaboration) in 'Software as a Service' form to UK government users such as the Emergency Services.
British APCO 2016 - Highlights and Hot Topics - David Parry shares the highlights and hot topics from this year's B-APCO event - the buzz around ESN in the conference and the exhibition, the LEXL10 LTE Smartphone, WAVE, the new SI500 Smart Interface product (combining RSM and body-worn video camera), Airwave Pronto and coffee!
Thanks for watching. You can bookmark out BAPCO YouTube playlist to watch later or catch upon news from other news at the show on www.motorolasolutions.com/bapco or about ESN at www.motorolasolutions.com/esn
Jen Rolfe is Channel Marketing and Communications Manager for Europe and Africa.
Jen is on LinkedIn
Follow #BAPCO2016 #ESN, #ESMCP and @MotSolsEMEA on Twitter.