The recent hot potato in the public safety discussion has
been mobile broadband data. The question of how to bring the broadband to public
safety vehicles has multiple opposing viewpoints and conflicts of opinion.
The first answer to implementing broadband into vehicles is
to build dedicated networks for authorities. The second solution is to use a
commercial provider with special deals to offer the data capacity required. The
third option includes several hybrid solutions, either combining dedicated and
commercial networks or using multiple commercial ones.
Tests conducted in various locations across the US and
Europe prove that hybrid commercial network use is a viable solution that can
be later improved by adaptation of dedicated networks. This observation has already
led to implementation of a fully commercial network based solutions in
Scandinavia. The fully commercial solution does not limit the usage of
dedicated networks like FirstNet, but due to lack of frequencies this has been
the only way in many countries so far.
The key element of this solution is a managed multichannel
router system. This system enables easier, secure
sharing of confidential information. It is now possible to call up a suspect’s
criminal record, any outstanding/previous fines or even vehicle information.
With this approach, all the needed office tasks can be performed on the spot,
while required documents can be created and printed immediately.
Users claim that co-operation has been elevated to an
entirely new level. Information is more transparent thanks to task handling,
shared blogs and the collection of statistics. The reliability of data
transmission and sharing of critical information has and continues to improve
significantly. Misunderstandings are reduced because different patrols can now
locate each other from a shared map resource. This has led to gains in the
command and control chain, with field management proving more efficient thanks
to better allocation of resources.
Authorities have been extremely satisfied with presented system. Routers have changed and continue to change field
operations and management due to provided capabilities for new applications.
Also the addition of a dedicated LTE network to the solution is possible
whenever a new networks is implemented giving also a future proof solution. It
has been already shown that this technology saves time, resources, money and
lives.
Juhani Lehtonen
VP Sales and Marketing
Goodmill Systems Ltd.
