Public safety continues to advance its use of wireless technology, as evidenced by announcements coming out of this week’s Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials conference.
Motorola Solutions introduced several new products, including launching Android’s Jelly Bean operating system on its LEX 700 handheld device for public safety. That device was the first multi-band, multi-mode handheld to operate in the Band 14 public safety spectrum, as well as 3G, 2G and Wi-Fi connectivity as well as push-to-talk support.
The introduction of Android to the LEX 700 expands the range of application options and flexibility for public safety, and Motorola representatives said it was “critical” for them to make the OS available on the device.
“It’s really about two things: providing choice for our customers, a broader ecosystem of apps to choose from; and the piece we’re going to do ourselves, to drive the innovation,” said Alan Lopez, director of government solutions marketing for Motorola Solutions.
Motorola also is showcasing its new Real-Time Crime Center solution, designed to interconnect data sources that could be helpful to first responders and present a broader picture for situational awareness. Information from multiple video feeds, alarm and sensor systems, two-way radio voice systems and databases and record systems – including those of retailers, banks or other private entities that choose to provide information to public safety – can be included and with professional services from Motorola, can be tailored to present the most useful and relevant information for the situation at hand.
“There is so much data and information that exists in the world that could be used to more proactively and better respond to emergency situations,” said Greg Billings, VP of global solution sales at Motorola Solutions. “Even more importantly, when synthesized and used, it can help to avoid emergency situations.”
Billings gave examples of public safety agencies being able to collate alarm information from buildings, gunshot sensors, video feeds from private locations such as shopping malls, or public cameras and license plate readers.
“Any piece of information, stand-alone, is very hard to understand if it’s important at any given moment,” Billings said. The strength of Motorola’s new solution is not just the ability to obtain the information, but its analysis power for applying intelligence and seeking out associations between disparate pieces of information.
The company also launched its VALR mission critical network architecture for unifying networks and services across radio and broadband networks. As part of its demos at APCO, Motorola is partnering with Roundarch/Isobar on an integrated Google Glass and PremierOne handheld prototype that allows a patrol officer to run a vehicle query by viewing a license plate, and search suspect information by looking at a driver’s license.
In other news from APCO, wireless backhaul provider Ceragon Networks said it has received orders for a new regional public safety network in Nebraska, the Nebraska Regional Interoperability Network. The network, managed by Communication Services, will use new and existing resources for a statewide wireless communication system – including about 200 links of Ceragon’s FirstNet-ready FibeAir solutions. The system will be used both by public safety answering points and 911 centers, as well as public power districts; local public safety agencies might be able to subscribe eventually.
The NRIN will be using new and existing resources to create a statewide wireless communication system for a variety of state public safety agencies. The system will connect the public safety answering points and 911 centers, enabling the smooth and efficient interoperability of the separate first responder networks. The network will also be used by the Public Power Districts. In the future, local public safety agencies may be able to subscribe to the system.
