Abstract
This report analyzes the status of first responders' communications
technologies, and concentrates on the following subjects:
- Satellites communications for pubic safety communications
- Mesh networks and their role in public safety communications
- Ultra Wideband communications for first responders
- North America standard land-mobile radio for first responders-Project P25
- Opening of the 700 MHz Band and its effect on public safety communications.
All these topics are united by their purpose - to serve first responders in
their activity, supporting reliable interoperable communications.
The report also addresses marketing profiles of the above technologies in the
public safety communications segment.
1. Satellite communications. With falling pricing and uniqueness of
this technology features, satellite links importance for disaster recovery is
difficult to underestimate. First responders can now use services offered by
several companies to sustain their interaction in various situations when
terrestrial links are damaged or completely destroyed. Modern technology
allows establishing such satellite links in a very short time, and it supports
both voice and data traffic.
Satellite offerings to support public safety communications can be categorize as:
- Permanent installations. They are typically only used for the most
important and vital government networks
- Pre-empted connections, which usually are utilized by non-public safety
communications users, but become available for first responders in critical
situations.
Satellite attractiveness is partially offset by:
- Pricing structure (in comparison with other means of communications)
- Specifics of establishing a communications path (the need for an antenna
to "see" the satellite)
- Relative bulkiness of equipment.
2. Wireless mesh networks. These networks are self-organized and
redundant by their nature - the ideal situation for first responders'
communications. Each responder may become a part of the network structure; in
a case of the failing link, the network itself will establish a new
connection. The WMN market is growing fast and public safety communications
plays a significant role in this market.
3. UWB. Ultra Wideband technology has a very important feature that
makes it attractive for public safety communications - it can combine in one
device a secure communicator and precise radar. Such properties allow first
responders to "see" through the wall and communicate at the same time. UWB is,
in our opinion, one of technologies that in the near future will establish a
significant presence in the discussed communications sector.
4. Project 25 radio. Project 25 defines a set of standards for first
responders' radio to establish such radio characteristics for North America
and several countries outside of the U.S. The goal of this standard is to make
sure that various agencies talk "the same language" and can communicate with
each other during emergencies. So far, there is still a lot of non-standard
equipment in hands of first responders, and this makes their efforts difficult
and inefficient.
5. Opening the 700 MHz spectrum for public safety radio (as well as for
commercial use) provides a sufficient basis to drive P25 (in the U.S.) and
TETRA markets and serves the purpose to reach interoperability on the local,
state and federal levels. It is difficult to predict how the development of
this spectrum will enhance the arsenal of our first responders. For now, it
seems that a very promising direction is to build pre-empted commercial
networks: in such a way, pubic safety communications will gain so needed
financial stability and on a needed basis will serve first responders (i.e.,
commercial traffic will be interrupted in cases of need by first responders'
communications).
Research Methodology
Considerable research was done using the Internet. Information from various
Web sites was studied and analyzed; evaluation of publicly available marketing
and technical publications was conducted. Telephone conversations and
interviews were held with industry analysts, technical experts and executives.
In addition to these interviews and primary research, secondary sources were
used to develop a more complete mosaic of the market landscape, including
industry and trade publications, conferences and seminars.
The overriding objective throughout the work has been to provide valid and
relevant information. This has led to a continual review and update of the
information content.
Target Audience
This report is important for the government agencies involved in the first
response to critical situations. It is necessary for technical departments of
such agencies to have a document, which in simple language explains radio
technology and architectures of networks supporting public safety radios. They
also need to understand the market landscape and who are the major players and
their portfolios to select the right equipment.
For vendors of the first response technology, this report provides valuable
information on competition. It also supports these vendors with the market
assessment.
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