Shortly after September 11, 2001, our culture coined the words “first responders” to describe Police, Fire, EMS and other agencies who rush toward a problem while everyone else runs away. During 911 first responders were unable to communicate with each other as channels overloaded with civilian traffic. Within a few years, there was talk of giving first responders priority on the communications networks. Lawmakers, being the people that they are, didn’t do much about it until 2012 when a legislator managed to attach an amendment to the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012” that established and funded the First Responder Network Authority,” now commonly referred to as FirstNet.
FirstNet has its supporters and detractors, and we will leave that for another post. Nevertheless, the bill reserved 700 MHz LTE band for First Responders, an undisputed good thing. Although the band was reserved, there has not been much going on until recently.
In early 2017, FirstNet announced an agreement with AT&T to create an entire nationwide network designed to give priority to first responders. It will be part of the existing network, but when first responders access the channels their voice, data, and video will move to the front of the line. The network will know it is first responder communication from a special SIM card in their devices.
Under normal circumstances, the priority will be mostly unnoticed as the networks handle the routine flow of data with relative efficiency. The real value of the system will come into play when there is an event that causes high cellular traffic, like a terrorist attack or major natural disaster. It is common for these events to compel everyone to call someone or head to the internet for information, and as happened during 911. First responders were waiting in line for connection just like everyone else. With the priorities established through FirstNet’s negotiations, Police, Fire, and EMS will be connected first, through both reserved channels and open channels.
While the linking of priority to SIM cards conjures up the notion of police and firefighters trying to talk to each other on smartphones, the reality is much different. The communication can be established through internet channels with cellular connections made through high-speed Pepwave routers. The Pepwave devices combine different connection methods to maintain always-on communication, even in the field.
Peplink achieves the always-on connection using two different methodologies. In a patrol car, public safety can employ a Pepwave MAX BR1 mini device built for rugged condition and temperature extremes from -40°F to 149°F. The BR1 mini can maintain a Wi-Fi connection when near headquarters and employ cellular connection when on patrol. The two connections are maintained with WAN smoothing that keeps the cellular connection open when on Wi-Fi and switches seamlessly to cellular when out of the Wi-Fi range. The BR1 Mini has dual SIM card slots so it can switch from one carrier to another if the first connection is lost. The transmission priority offered through the FirstNet program, with Peplink’s always-on technology will assure that first responder communication will continue to flow even in the highest traffic situation.
For mobile command vehicles with high bandwidth requirements, Peplink has the Pepwave HD series. The HD routers have multiple cellular modems and can bond wired, Wi-Fi and cellular connections with their SpeedFusion technology. SpeedFusion combines multiple data channels, moving traffic simultaneously and redundantly through all channels creating a single unbreakable fast connection. If one cellular connection fails, the session will continue on the other channels uninterrupted. All of the switching and routing is invisible to the users, who experience their data and voice flowing continuously.
Peplink’s technology and robust construction, combined with FirstNet’s priority service will mean that first responding departments will not only maintain connection in a community crisis, communications will continue as they would under normal conditions.
Frontier Computer Corp. and its partners have helped Public Safety and Fire Departments implement Peplink based communication systems throughout the country. Contact FrontierUS to find a qualified partner to build your first responder communication system.
Contact FrontierUS at 866.226.6344.
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