Network Slicing: The Silver Bullet That Killed Old School Thinking in Critical Communications

Exhibiting at Critical Communications World show in Hong Kong, our Sales VP Tomas Granö and I were party to a number of heated discussions on using IP networks and shared frequencies for mission-critical purposes. The argument pits the old school types, who contend that only Circuit Switch connectivity over owned infrastructure can serve mission critical operations, against another camp that says quite the opposite. Though much more quiet, this latter group represents the majority who argue that infrastructure can be shared but is has to be built more robustly. Perhaps needless to say, we heartily agree. And this doesn’t just relate to the important issue of network planning, but touches on network hopping (as provided by our newest partner, Goodmill Systems) but as well battery life, weight and efficiency.

In fairness, while its true that network sharing for critical communications isn’t there yet, the old school folks, quite rankly seem to be missing the forest for the trees. Priority service levels are already delivered via circuit-based services but they are confined to voice, and in this case most importantly group voice. But with the move to IP we’ve opened a vast sea of services, from detailed location information to HD video and real-time database access, not to mention voice via VoLTE. Public safety organizations are already using these services delivered to them upon shared networks, but their lack of reliability is an unavoidable bi-product of Best Effort. The point is that this will remain the same even on a private, dedicated network, because even if it is serving a smaller number of users this essential character flaw doesn’t disappear.

This all begs the question, not of how public safety organizations are going to afford to build out their own private networks, but rather how we may offer the services they already use on shared commercial networks more reliably. The great news is, we already know the answer. Native to 4G LTE and soon to be the dominant feature of 5G is network slicing which amounts to a silver bullet for public safety and much, much more. Even though the world’s public safety users number only some 70 million, their stuff needs to work well all the time, period. The ability to provide dedicated, SLA-assured slices on existing mobile networks not only removes the pervading conundrum over shared vs. private, but opens up a huge number of opportunities for critical communications organizations and the carriers that support them.

But this coming sea change will need to be managed, and public safety agents will be required to move with the times and onboard new technologies that will radically extend their capabilities. While the current cohort of agents, habituated to using group calls to get information will need to be re-trained, the next generation of operatives will ask which AI system their dispatchers are using. Real-time data delivery is already a component in game-based training where teams solve problems in the field with the help instant, AI-delivered data.

A corollary to this, and though on its face may seem quite different, is in the area of billing. This came up last week at another conference, the TM Live! Forum 2017 in Nice, France with KPN CTO Erik Hoving asking a rather disruptive but squarely on point question. “Why do we have a billing system at all?” he asked, pointing to the fact that the number of digital companies sending bills amounts to about zero. “We’ve spent zillions on BSS, but who wants a bill?” and he’s right. No one wants one, and the cost to carriers for this unwanted part of their service is phenomenal. And yet, just like old school public safety people are reluctant to jump aboard the shared network bandwagon, mobile operators, many of whom define themselves as billing companies, show all the nervousness of an identity crisis when the idea of a bill-free future comes up.

Once again, like dedicated networks, big billing systems are the product of the age oldcircuit switch voice era and are confined to counting minutes or bytes. And this, along with Best Effort is among the core reasons why consumers don’t feel a great deal of loyalty to their carrier or feel the value is there for the high monthly bills they pay. They don’t want to pay a middle man, but they are more than willing to pay content providers for the stuff that they love. On the flip side, one trick pony services like Spotify and Netflix have paved the way for this with unlimited services at bargain basement prices.

As mobile operators venture into these waters, the idea of integrating these services into their behemoth billing systems makes no sense. But further, and what does make sense is moving their entire business model over to unlimited, or time based service and hey, why not go the age-old net zero path and bring those advertisers aboard? Certainly customers love it, and revenue potential is huge.

And while we’re on the subject of revenues, let’s return for a minute to network slicing which will play an enormous role in all of this coming together. While everyone selling any technology will talk about the "Win-Win", or even triple win and always big Op Ex and Cap Ex savings and revenues, I have been in the tech and telecom world for a while and I have never seen anything like this. Network Slicing not only allows the mobile operator to deliver real value within their core business (which is not billing btw), solve the issue of serving multiple industry segments, including public safety, but most importantly all but guarantee a dramatically improved customer experience; and all this at a fraction of the cost of traditional network deployments. What’s more, network slicing can be delivered and paid for OTT in the same way Netflix or Spotify does.. There are too many wins to name, but you get the point.

None of this will happen over night, and certainly it will take a major change to the culture, thinking and business model of the mobile service industry, but the opportunity is simply too great to ignore.

By Mika Skarp, Founder and CTO, Cloudstreet

The Misunderstood vs. Real Demands of Critical Vehicle Broadband

The development of applications and solutions that help and improve public safety operators’ daily work has been rapid lately. This has led to a situation where traditional public safety narrow band connectivity seldom meets the applications’ requirements today and in near future. This all has been acknowledged by everyone involved in our field. However, there are some misunderstandings and misconceptions of what the connectivity requirements of future will be and even more of what the most beneficial and useful applications and services will be. I will highlight in this short article what type of services are the ones that bring public safety operations to a totally new efficiency level and what type of connectivity only assures that improvement.

The most common mistake any organization makes in developing and implementing the new services is either to take good connectivity as granted or to develop services where connectivity is not crucial. This seems controversial that both of these approaches are wrong. Let me explain.

Often organizations that have first experimented with broadband have come to a conclusion that they cannot rely on the single connection they’ve used and thus develop services where broadband is only “nice to have”. If it’s not there it doesn’t matter, because the connection problems can be replaced with local data storage or by postponing the required tasks to be executed in the office. This has led, as an example, to applications where cameras record everything but the data is saved locally and can be recalled then later in the office. This might be a good thing for the public interest when evaluating actions and procedures, but no use what comes to operational support. Another example is the paperwork on the road. If there is not always connection. the documents need to be downloaded later and there is no possibility to check the background information often needed to fill in all the documents. This often leads to reluctance to actually perform the tasks in the field and they are postponed to be done in the office. Both of these examples, as being improvements for sure, don’t bring the change in efficiency expected by the investors.

The key to significant efficiency improvement is the always online connectivity. If the users can be certain that the connectivity is there, the whole operational picture changes. Some of the users claim that the always online connectivity has brought a change that has been “bigger than changing from horses to cars”! How can this be achieved then?

The first example is the video streaming. With online video streaming the whole concept becomes a command and control solution. Wherever anything worth sharing happens, the unit in the field can share the view with the headquarters and with any other task relevant units. Data is shared online and in this case a picture is truly worth thousand words, minimizing also unnecessary voice traffic. Also recording is possible in this scenario, but the application and use is totally different and recording can happen in vehicle or command and control center. In some countries the camera in the vehicle is already considered the “third officer” due to its capability in information sharing!

Online video streaming is one of the high end solutions, but there are many more significant ones. The real efficiency improvements, when talking about saving time, come from using the vehicle as an office. When the connection is there one can always check any required background info from vehicle registers, customs, criminal records, tax registers; everywhere the officer has rights to. Also the required documents can be always up to date and filled and saved directly in the databases. This means one has to do the work only once. Think of the time savings achieved in writing a simple speeding ticket! In some scenario you can use the bank card to pay the fine on the spot even. We calculated with a client that this online capability saves 1,5 hours every shift in the vehicle. This means yearly savings of approximately € 100 000, - per vehicle per year! Being online to a level that you have uninterrupted broadband connectivity brings the benefits and savings. Any half-baked “low end” connectivity solution that jeopardizes the connectivity also risks the whole investment.

How to then make this happen? One would think that only dedicated country wide LTE network would be the only solution. On the contrary. As a dedicated network brings added resilience and can help to minimize congestion issues, it never provides the only solution. The best way to realize this is to combine available networks in a smart way.

Luckily we have already great examples of the solution. Norway, Finland and Iceland have implemented solutions with only commercial networks, using 2-4 networks depending on the area. Many Middle East countries have selected the dedicated network path supported by one or more commercial operators. The hybrid network approach offers also a very nice evolution path to the dedicated network builders as one does not have to wait until the own network is fully implemented. One uses the dedicated network when available and other alternatives when not. As the network grows, the resilience and the performance of the services increases.

Individual availability of three operators vs. combined "hybrid" availability. First a view of the whole tour statistics and second the statistics in Paris. 

There are also misunderstandings that multiple networks would not together add much to the availability due to site sharing and similar business cases of the operators. In all tests we have conducted this assumption has been proven wrong. We have tens of these tests that show all significant availability boosts. Here as a summary the results of a test conducted by Thales during Tour de France. In these cases, you would suspect network contamination as well as low coverage due to spectator crowds and remote mountain locations of the Tour. Nonetheless, the use of three commercial operators improves the connectivity to a level where it makes the needed difference!

Juhani Lehtonen
@LinkedIn

Ensuring Rescue Vehicle Connectivity: Jokilaakso Fire & Rescue Department Case Study

Jokilaakso rescue department (Jokilaaksojen Pelastuslaitos) is the unit that provides for all rescue operation and ambulance services in western (northern?) Finnish towns Alavieska, Haapajärvi, Ylivieska, Raahe, Nivala, Pyhäjärvi and Kärsämäki. The target of the operation is to fulfill the demands of local operations as cost efficiently and effectively as possible. Due to efficiency targets, Jokilaakso has been the forerunner of implementing modern data services that demand high availability. The natural impediment has been to include most advanced and modern data connectivity platform for their vehicles.

 

Data services in vehicles

 

The main use today is in the lead vehicle. The vehicle uses Tetra network in Finland for voice communication and commercial networks via multichannel routing for data. The current services in the rescue lead vehicles use Cisco VPN encryption and are the connection to command center programs (PEKE) and normal office programs like e-mail. The command center functionality is the main demander for uninterrupted broadband data since all operational information is transmitted with it.

 

The system provides electronic two-way communication between dispatch and crews to ensure that critical information is communicated accurately and in real-time. Navigator tracks crew status by activity time and location while providing routing guidance. Time stamps are automatically logged and sent so there is an accurate recording of events as they happen. Instant visual notifications alert the crew when new information is sent, keeping them constantly informed and eliminating the possibility of vital information being missed on a phone call. Due to always online connectivity the data is always accurate and actual. This functionality is currently using the Tetra network with SDS-messaging. As the new PeKe services expand to demands of broadband, the system can take core of it automatically.

 

The most data capacity demanding application used today is the sharing of WiFi access point to other units. The other units that don’t have the routers can use the network provided by the lead vehicle to connect more securely to services provided. The data demands currently are such that WAN capacity provided by the lead vehicle is enough. It has been tested that the WiFi access point can cover even 300m radius with installed system. 

 

The system description

 

The rescue vehicle has a vehicle computer and Tetra phones. The computer is attached to the multichannel router with a LAN cable or via WLAN access point when taken out of the vehicle. The router has thus two FE ports and a WiFi in the LAN side. The WAN side includes three uplinks that are a national 3G operator, a national CDMA 450 operator and there is also a WiFi WAN link that is used when the vehicle is in or close to the fire station.

 

 

The benefits of the solution

 

The implemented system improves the functionality of the lead vehicles tremendously. The solution of using only Tetra has the data capacity limitation of about 5 kbit/s and does not provide for sufficient migration to future services. Also the alternative of using only one 3G modem for the data was not adequate for the resilience and availability needed. Now the future investments of various enhanced services are not limited by the data access.

 

The lead vehicle is also an office on the wheels. With older systems very basic tasks like just sending e-mails with larger attachments was too slow. Now even citrix based systems that require very high availability data can be used.

 

Lead vehicle usage as a WiFi hotspot gives data connectivity to other vehicles, too. The multichannel and multi-operator system provides for coverage that is unmet with single 3G network. Especially in the specific region of northwestern Finland, the coverage of any single operator is hardly 100%. Two operators - system has been seen adequate. If needed, the system can be expanded to cover 4 different operators for WAN connectivity

 

The system is easy to operate. The remote management functionality provides for an overview of the connectivity at all times. It is also easier for the operation that the internet connectivity is practically handled by a single unit. The user just connects to the router and then one can operate like in the station. It is truly an “office on the wheels” –approach.

 

Future possibilities and expansions

 

The current solution is just the starting point of the use that reliable broadband enables. The future possibilities of the used system are numerous and recent discussions have been to include streaming online video from the rescue sight and including also ambulances with connectivity with various health specific systems like Merlot Medi or similar. The devices that can be connected to the system are limitless. The connection inside the vehicle can then use the Ethernet or wireless access possibilities. However, the services, software used will remain to be the key driver. It is not the equipment, but what it is used for that saves lives out in the field.

 

 

The development of the services used is fast. The integration of various systems in Rescue and in Emergency services can be handled with the same or similar platforms. From pre-planning to dispatch to real-time communication to incident command to patient care to after incident reporting and billing, the integrated router solution maximize operational efficiency and enhance firefighter safety.

 

Summary

 

Jokilaakso rescue department has had a successful implementation of broadband access to lead vehicles. This has enabled them to use the current applications more efficiently and reliably. The implementation of the end to end managed data connectivity enables Jokilaakso to stay at the peak of public safety data usage for years to come. Jokilaakso is in the process of expanding the system to more units.

Jokilaakso rescue department (Jokilaaksojen Pelastuslaitos) is the unit that provides for all rescue operation and ambulance services in western Finnish towns Alavieska, Haapajärvi, Ylivieska, Raahe, Nivala, Pyhäjärvi and Kärsämäki. The rescue responsibility only covers 17 communes. The target of the operation is to fulfill the demands of local operations as cost efficiently and effectively as possible.

 

Juhani Lehtonen
VP Sales and Marketing
Goodmill Systems Ltd.

Using Mobile Devices and Routers in Police Applications

A most recent killer application for critical mobile connectivity in policing is to have a system with VPN client based systems used in the laptops or other smart devices and a router solution in the vehicle. In this blog I have summarized some demands and key benefits of this approach.

Critical Connectivity from Mobile Devices

 

In this approach the VPN client in the mobile device is able to use one or two links towards the network and is an excellent solution whenever the vehicle is not nearby. The requirements for the VPN solution include solid security, seamless connectivity, session persistence as well as seamless roaming between networks. Many mobile solutions fail to deliver the anticipated benefits due to ease of use and connectivity issues. A specially designed mobile VPN is designed to provide a secure, LAN-like user experience.

As this might be enough for many solutions officers are using today, it is not enough alone for mission critical applications. A seamless functionality with a vehicle router whenever near, gives an excellent combination of critical connectivity from the devices and mission critical connectivity for all online vehicle systems.

Ensuring Mission Critical Connectivity

For many law enforcement applications it is mission critical to have a constant flow of information on the field. Mobile multi-channel routers provide a reliable, fast, and secure broadband connection between the vehicles and the command center for mission critical needs. Goodmill w24e is the first router in the world to provide seamless and reliable switching between several different broadband data networks using technologies like LTE, 3G HSPA, CDMA2000/450, WiFi, WiMAX and TETRA. In case of a connection failure the solution immediately reroutes the traffic through another network. This ensures reliable connectivity even when the vehicles are constantly on the move.

The actual quality of the available broadband networks might be a surprise to many officers. The dynamic nature of the networks, including future dedicated networks, demands a solution that combines networks. This is presented from actual tests run data collected from a moving vehicle.

Many policing applications used today are mission critical and require high availability. These include applications such as

• Access to sensitive databases
• Criminal records, vehicle databases, medical databases etc.
•  Command and control applications
• Position sharing / unit status sharing applications
•  Online streaming video
•  License Plate Recognition
•  VoIP applications

Summary

 

Information sharing between jurisdictions is a valuable tool for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of Police operations. These important applications are only possible to realize with broadband connectivity ensured by hybrid network approach provided by advanced VPN client software, multichannel routers and supporting backend solutions.

Juhani Lehtonen
Goodmill Systems Ltd

 

Future of Mobile Policing Technology Available Now

Designed to make the job of policing on the front-line an easier task, the police vehicle merges the latest technologies with traditionally essential equipment into a single vehicle. With multiple data and robust communications, the vehicle is able to support such solutions as GIS and mapping, police processes, ANPR, forensics, video streaming and capture, public involvement and facial recognition. The vehicle, as well as including automatic performance reporting and built in security measures, seamlessly brings together all of these technologies into one car.

Vehicle platform

The CAST car is based on the Vauxhall (Opel) Astra Sports Tourer. This is a car that is widely selected by British police forces for its economic running costs and general robustness. The car is fully equipped with features familiar to the police, including full blue light arrangement, sirens, and features like ‘run-lock’. An important feature is that this cas is SVA (Single Vehicle Architecture) compliant. The solutions are designed to work in and away from the vehicle, creating a true mobile workforce environment.

Hardware platform

Vauxhall has teamed with Goodmill Systems and TETRAtab to implement the robust telecommunication and computing platform within the vehicle. There are two principle computers within the car, both of which are provided by TETRAtab. The telecommunications solution is provided by Goodmill Systems and integrated in the left hand side of the boot space. This allows any of the devices in the car, and when permitted, devices from the general public, to communicate via multiple freely selected broadband networks in a resilient and secure way. A WiFi hotspot bubble is also created by the router around the vehicle and is also connected via Ethernet to the TETRAtab platform.

Additional applications

The vehicle includes video equipment that is provided by VideoLAttitude and allows video streaming from both inside and around the vehicle to any device in the world. The cameras are discreetly integrated so as not to attract attention, and are managed from two control boxes under the floor of the luggage compartment area. The car automatically reports vehicle faults abd druver performance via an Airmax system integrated into the car. This allows condition based maintenance of the vehicle and reduces the vehicle wear.

The winning solution

This set-up was the winning solution of the ACPO ITS Group competition to produce a police patrol vehicle able to support new and innovative ways of working for the police service. The judges were extremely impressed with the whole vehicle fit and the final quality of the integration of so many disparate systems. All systems worked seamlessly thanks to the high availability connectivity provided by Goodmill managed router system.

More info at: http://content.yudu.com/A23b3f/Lmobcastssup13/

Ambulance Broadband Data Connectivity

The modern ambulance services are introducing a variety of life saving applications that require always online broadband. Pirkanmaa Hospital District is one of the forerunners of high-end applications in this field.

 

The Used Services

 

The hospital district needs to chart patients and share data in real-time, and easily manage Ambulance Trauma workflow and analyze patient data. Ultimately, the used applications help hospitals realize significant clinical and operational benefits to improve performance and quality. It is even possible to capture data using a finger touch-screen interface, and make charting quick, accurate, and comprehensive.

 

The modern applications enable hospitals and staff to see the status of all patients, including real-time information from charting in the field. It is possible even to use workflow management system allows agencies to manage EMS through review and approvals, ultimately replacing the paper trail. The hospital district can then use pre-built server reports and powerful data analytics package to observe trends, and effect change.

 

Ambulances are outfitted with docking stations and tablet PCs. Data is entered by tapping the screen, including voice recognition. Paramedic can send patient data in real-time the hospital and this system allows one to capture quickly and accurately far more information than manual on paper charts. The patient data is then instantly available to the emergency department and clinical audit staff.

 

The system naturally requires data connectivity that is reliable, resilient and meets the challenging coverage problematic of a big country like Finland.

 

The Router System

 

Pirkanmaa Hospital District has chosen top of the field routing solution that is capable to switch from network to another seamlessly in a matter of seconds. For guaranteed availability, the routers system is remotely managed, and the solution includes state of the art mobile IP capabilities.

 

The systems consist of routers, including mobile terminals, router software, management software and tunneling software. A picture of a concept set-up is presented below.

 

 

 

The figure shows that the hospital or command center can be connected to any vehicle through secured IPSec based VPN’s through a VPN gateway. This VPN gateway can be any of the currently commercially available standard gateways. In case of high-end video surveillance, a special mobile IP server is needed in the land site. This enables the extremely smooth switch over between networks with very little influence to picture quality or delay in picture.

 

The WAN networks can be selected freely based on the availability of mobile terminals that are integrated in the router. In this case the most used Finnish Operators were selected to provide for the best possible combined coverage. The selection of used alternative WAN links is based on need for connectivity and cost. It is important to note that the solution provides a smooth transition to future dedicated broadband networks: when LTE is one of the selected modems, it will be used there where available. As the LTE network coverage grows, the usability increases flexibly. The services can be implemented immediately and upgraded as more broadband capacity will be available.

 

Specific Solution Benefits

 

It is clear that the solution for these lifesaving applications cannot be provided with standard routing systems. There are requirements that need special attention and the router system is in key position to provide for these. This includes for instance:

• Extremely quick switch over times through multiple active radio modems
• Data Session Persistency while using different network, for enabling real time applications such as Video and VoiP, as well as keeping critical data sessions open all the time
•  Secure data communication through built-in VPN capabilities
• Auto roll back
• Double memories
• Fall back to previous working configuration is new one is corrupted
• Hardware based modem control
• In case of modem dysfunction the router has hardware power-up reset functionality
• Power back-up
• In case of power loss, like in starting the vehicle, the router keeps power on for app. 20-30 seconds.

The advanced management system is essential in minimizing the implementation and operating costs as well as maximizing the availability at all times during operation. The Goodmill Systems’ management features and benefits include:

• Device management remotely
• Remote management via the active route/link, can be any
• All configurations administrated by the management system
• Monitoring
• Wan link status
• VPN status
• Configuration revision
• Router Log management
• Router firmware download and initialization
• Controlled remotely by the management system
• Recovery to earlier version if needed
• Mobile terminals managed and controlled by the system
• Secure and scalable installation
• Secure procedure to add devices under management
• Automated self-setup and configuration with remote management  and predefined parameters

Summary

 

Using multichannel routing is the killer enabler that meets the current and future needs of data connectivity in field use for Public Safety Sector. The solution enables the development of services and functionality in vehicles that is only limited by the coverage and data capacity limitations of the best availability that any single commercial network provides. Our experience is that the session’s persistency and the high availability needed can be provided only with our approach. The mobility of the vehicle influences the network functionality in such a way that it excludes currently available bundling solutions for this type of usage.

 

The high end implementation of Pirkanmaa Hospital District system is a proof of the concept and the results can be seen with improved service and ultimately saved lives.

Police Broadband Data Use*

Police organisations around the world have recognised a critical need for fast, secure broadband data applications. Utilising a secure and reliable broadband service increases efficiency and security. It saves money, time and lives. The ultimate solution is to have the same application suite used in the office available to vehicle based officers. When implemented fully, broadband data capabilities enable an ‘office on wheels’ approach that is well appreciated by the officers themselves as well as their customers. This case study illustrates the setup that allows the Police to truly enter the 21st century in mobile

connectivity.

* The material collected for this case study is sourced from Goodmill contacts in general

and is publicly available information. Goodmill provides equipment for Finnish authorities. All

information regarding the following applications may or may not be used by these authorities.

Police Data Communication Needs

For many years, Police organisations around the world have been implementing land mobile radio systems (LMR) to improve the communication capabilities of their field operations. Some countries have been the forerunners and today boast digital networks with excellent coverage throughout the country. Some are adapting to this later, with roll-outs still ongoing in many territories.These systems, whether TETRA, TETRAPOL or P25 technologies, were designed for specific public safety voice applications and often use technology similar to the first digital mobile networks. Although these systems provided a great improvement over voice-only services, their networks now face great limitations due to very low data capacities. Data traffic carried over digital LMR networks may even jeopardise primary voice services.

The data solution required today must improve the main functionality of voice, while simultaneously offering data communication that meets the capacity and requirements of public safety. The requirements for current and future Police data connectivity are:

• Coverage
• Availability
• Data integrity
• Session persistence
• Cost efficiency
• Interoperability
 

Police Specific Services

The required services are the key reason to implement new data connectivity. Services that are needed today within vehicles include:

• Image and file transfer
• Location based services
• Database queries
• Biometric checks
• Streaming video

Information sharing between jurisdictions is a valuable tool for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of Police operations. This means collecting and forwarding data between various jurisdiction databases. These important applications are impossible to realise within the technological limitations of current voice and SMS-type data services. It is obvious that broadband capabilities which fit public safety requirements are essential in order to improve efficiency. This creates the next dilemma: What is required from a Police broadband solution technically and how can we afford it?

Using Hybrid Networks

Multiple network usage is the key to efficiently use new data applications designed for Police forces. The basic idea is simply to combine two or more relatively well functioning networks into one connection that meets the requirements of field operations. Multi-channel router technology offers the means to utilise existing parallel commercial and/or private networks. Multi-channel routers need to be populated with several wireless terminals supporting a wide variety of different radio technologies or operators’ networks. Routing of mission critical traffic should always be performed using the best connection available.

 

Services Used

 

The actual services Police authorities use with the data connection are many and varied. The future seems to offer limitless capabilities. The first step is to enable a very basic functionality, e.g. enabling e-mails with larger data files to be sent without interruption. The increased data capacity also significantly improves situational awareness; e.g. seeing in real time where all other units are and what their status is. With broadband capabilities, it is possible to drastically expand the area within which units can be surveyed.

 

Other immediately accessible services include real time blogging, where units can write their observations to specific shared pages on a region by region basis. This service in particular has been extremely well received. The safe connection eventually enables easier, secure sharing of confidential information. It is possible to call up a suspect’s criminal record, any outstanding/previous fines or even vehicle information. With this approach, all the needed tasks can be performed on the spot, while required documents can be created and printed immediately. This includes a wide variety of tasks:

 

• Reporting an offense
• On the spot fines
• Sentence claims
• Preliminary investigations
• Crime enquiries
• Technical investigations
• Weapon register checks
• Personal ID checks
• Passport checks

 

The Set-Up for Police

 

The infrastructure can utilise both dedicated voice traffic applications as well as commercial broadband networks. Dedicated broadband networks may be also used in the future, while multi-channel data connectivity serves as a simple migration path towards that scenario. The router creates connections to the command centre and also connections to other authorities that are needed. Through the command centre gateway, the encrypted connection can fetch all required information the specific officers are entitled to.

 

 

A sample set-up for police vehicle connectivity

 

Shared Experience from Police

 

Police officers  have been extremely satisfied with multiband access systems. Multiband Routers have changed and continue to change field operations and management. This technology has been proven to save time, resources, money and lives. Thanks to this solution, Officers are able to spend longer ‘in the field’ and operate with greater efficiency. They can access the same databases as in Police stations and create reports without returning to the station. Because everyone has the same picture of the situation, 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. Co-operation between different authorities has also been improved. 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 lead to gains in the command and control chain, with field management proving more efficient thanks to better allocation of resources.

 

Further to this, everyone who is part of the process benefits from improved legal protection, as information is now automatically updated to databases. Preplanning and crime prevention has become more efficient. Even informing the public, press and other media has improved.

 

The Future

 

New operative models are developed as experience with the systems grows, while users further recognise the capabilities of the system to handle more critical data traffic than previously assumed. Police organisations have stated that enthusiasm for changing traditional working methods enables them to utilise the TETRA and other IT investments more effectively. However, it is important to note that the multichannel data access approach is merely an enabler. Multichannel routing or other technology cannot replace Police officers in the field. In the best case, easy to use radio and IT tools may become the backbone of field operations and management!

 

 

Using Hybrid Networks in Public Safety Broadband

 

Most of the current public safety broadband challenges can be tackled by smartly using not one, but several existing networks. By combining readily available networks the access can be improved significantly, the reliability and resiliency is not of a single network, but of an independent combination. Availability and quality of service are what the operators can jointly offer. The network infrastructure providers will naturally develop the spectrum efficiency to maximize the efficiency of their network and roaming could be provided between networks, using the best one available.

 

What do these combined networks then practically have to offer? The challenge is the always online connectivity especially when we are in moving vehicles. The recent studies show sometimes as low as 70% availability for any single 3G network even in the best coverage areas.

 

 

Table 1. Example of single and multiple broadband network availability.

 

 

The usually discussed needed availabilities for dedicated PS broadband are at the level of 99%. It is clear that providing that kind of availability over dedicated networks incorporates huge costs when applied over a larger region. It is understandable that the single carrier approach that occasionally provides these low availabilities is not sufficient. Luckily the statistics help with the multiple network approach. With two 3G networks, as presented here, as low as 64% over first network and 76% over the second one provide a combined availability of over 99%! Just by using two networks the availability needed can thus be met. And introducing 3^rd network enhances that even further. When the switch over from network to another is seamless, one can claim that this approach provides for the needed technical functionality that is acceptable for critical communications already today.

 

The ultimate counterargument is always that there will be situations when none of the commercial networks will function. They can be blocked due to other traffic, there are areas where commercial networks don't exist  or power could be cut off. In these cases there remains a need for priorisation, QoS or even dedicated networks. Different dedicated LMR technologies, like TETRA,  need to be there as a back up also for data. 

 

There is, however, a chicken and an egg problem here. The broadband solutions  are needed in daily operations today. Should we postpone the introduction of broadband data to PS because of possible rare incidents or could we introduce a concept that works now and can be upgraded to meet the requirements of future as needed regulatory decisions are made? I think broadband should be introduced today and upgraded later. But not just any kind of a solution. We need a future proof solution that is capable to meet most of the demands of criticality today! 

 

The solution requires for router equipment in the vehicle with very special features that are unmet by established router manufacturers today.

 

Hybrid Network Approach in PS Broadband 

Overall Picture of the Needed Router Solution

 

The more flexible the used  WAN link configuration is, the more flexibility, reliability, resilience and security can be provided. The router solution needs to include a wide variety of links, a top of class encryption capabilities, fast switch over from network to another and a possibility to remotely manage and to have an overview of the connectivity.  The system needs to be able to provide seamless services to vehicle that include, but are not limited to:
 

• Image and file transfer
• Database queries
• Location based services
• Biometric checks
• and ultimately streaming video

These services can be used in critical environment only by using routers that are specifically designed for the purpose. This includes special hardware, software and management features.

 

PSS Router Software Requirements

 

The most important software feature for the router system is the capability to switch over from network to another seamlessly, without any service interruptions. Mobile IP tunneling implemented by few manufacturers is a part of the solution. This technology hides the network changes from the termination point and enables fast switch over without unnecessary VPN negotiations. PS customers always use encrypted traffic, so various levels of VPN tunnels are used by different user organizations. MIP also guarantees session persistency so that the users are not required to re-authenticate to their backend systems every time a link is changed. But MIP cannot handle the fast switch over just by itself.

 

The mobile networks are extremely dynamic and having data streams to and from moving vehicles increases the demands of the connection. The networks are mainly designed to serve nomad customers and systems that solemnly depend on networks’ routing capabilities cannot follow a fast moving vehicle. With just protocol based routing the switch over decision cannot be made quickly enough. The only feasible solution is to use predefined routes and predict at all times the best possible routing for any the used links. This enhances the capabilities for decision making about when the network switch over is necessary. For this very same reason load sharing or data bundling over multiple networks seldom provides any advantage.

 

The router software requirements include also the capability of autonomously control the used modems. The modems tend sometimes to stay in “hanging” mode and look like they are connected to the network, but no data is transmitted. This and other similar dysfunctions need to be detected by the router and software needs to wake the modems up.

 

PSS Router Hardware Requirements

 

The router market offers quite a few appliance hardware solutions for router developers. These appliances are not designed to handle the specific requirements of critical PS communication. The first needed requirement is flexibility. When the connectivity is introduced to wide areas, it is often demanded that various routers have quite different hardware configurations. This is mostly emphasized in the WAN link flexibility. In many cases two links might be enough to fulfill the criticality demands, but there are cases where 3 or even 4 links are necessary. These links need to include all UMTS technologies (3G and 4G), but also capabilities for all CDMA based technologies and even satellite connectivity.

 

Robustness of hardware is a must in these demanding applications. Although the routers are located inside the vehicles, the shock resistance and IP classification needs to be high. It is clear that consumer products or slightly upgraded consumer products will not offer the long time durability required.

 

Router demands also carrier class hardware approach when it comes to updating the software. When remote software update is implemented, the router needs to test it before taking into use. This requires double memories. There is also needed a software functionality for fall back to elder functioning version if something goes accidentally wrong.

 

Sometimes just software based booting of the equipment is not enough. It is upmost important that the hardware has functionalities to mechanically switch the power off. This mechanical power switched, controlled by the software, are one element of a perfect solution for PS. Similar functionality is needed in the power back-up. The vehicle on battery should be used, but with starting the vehicle the power to the router should be remained. Special up to 30 seconds back-up without extra battery is thus needed.

 

PSS Router Remote Management Requirements

 

A horror for the PS broadband user is just a box with no remote monitoring, configuring or set-up possibilities. The demand is that the connectivity to all routers, even to thousands of units, should be monitored from a one secure system from a secure location. The communication between the management server and the router should not depend on which links are used for the actual network connection and it should always be encrypted. Software upgrades shall be made easy in a way that even large amounts of routers can be updated simultaneously. The routers in themselves should not have fixed IP address requirements for security reasons. The contact to management should always be initialized by the router. Easy management interface that can handle the number of routers and does not require any special coding expertise is needed.

 

Finally, the status of the routers and their links including connections, modems and even  SIM-cards should be made possible to monitor over large amount of routers with a simple graphical interface.

 

Summary

 

Special purpose router equipment, a multichannel router, is required in all furture scenarios of providing broadband data to Public Safety. No general appliance based or originally for consumers developed routers can meet the requirements for secure always on-line connectivity in vehicles. The solution has special requirements for software, hardware and remote management. When all of these areas are considered in the design, the ultimate target of providing critical connectivity can be met cost efficiently.

 

As one PS officer who has been using this type of a solution since 2011 put it:

“Multichannel routing system provides savings in time, resources, money and lives”

 

This is what a hybrid network approach can provide for public safety today. And with right system the upgrade to future networks will be easy.

 

Juhani Lehtonen

Public Safety Mobile Data Development

The demand for cost savings and improved efficiency are a constant demand to public safety organizations everywhere.  Simultaneously the mobile connectivity has changed the lives of everyone. With the boom of handheld smartphones every user understands the benefits and capabilities of the wireless internet. TETRA has served well until now, but its low bandwidth data solutions don’t meet modern demands. It is difficult to understand why an expensive public safety vehicle shouldn’t have the same or better capabilities than most of the 1^st world teenagers today have in their pockets.

Efficient modern public safety organizations demand access to databases like patient records, criminal registers, stolen car registers and even building drawings.  A key imperative is that this data is always up to date; otherwise our security and health is endangered. Also other modern applications are needed now and near future. Online, distributed video streaming is probably the most wanted application at the moment. All of the modern PSS services require thus secure, resilient and redundant always online connectivity.

Public Safety Broadband Network Development

The driver in the PSS broadband network development seems to be the possibilities that new LTE technology will provide. There are still many approaches what the development will be, but all of them have the idea that ultimately the whole communication in PSS will be done over high data rate IP networks.

 

First option is to have totally dedicated network for PS sector. The benefits of this solution are the full control over the network, flexibility to changes when needed and dedicated capacity. The major disadvantage is the price, the build-up and ramp-up time and the final coverage and availability achieved with the invested money.

 

Second alternative would be to build just dedicated radio access network. In this scenario the PS would build own dedicated base stations, but would rely on commercial core. The benefits would be that PS could specify the RAN requirements and would have dedicated RAN capacity. Disadvantages are similar to own dedicated networks in RAN cost redundancies.

 

Third option would be to assign dedicated channels for commercial networks. Benefits of this are needed and assured RAN capacity that would be provided cost efficiently. The future flexibility in the pressure of commercial networks could be challenged and thus close co-operation with the commercial carriers would be a requirement.

 

Fourth option is based on an enterprise –type approach. In this case the network would be fully shared, but there would be a special service layer implementation. This would provide high cost efficiency and flexibility in service level agreements. On the other hand, this solution has problems of guaranteeing dedicated capacity to PS users.

 

Fifth and the most service orientated approach is a fully shared retail network. This would be highly cost efficient and would be simple to operate and this approach can be implemented already today. The disadvantages include the inability to give dedicated capacities, would provide for less service flexibility and could mean higher user fees.

 

Land Mobile Network Influence

 

There are also public safety digital solutions for voice and limited amount of data that have been implemented worldwide. These TETRA, Tetrapol, P25 and similar networks often have wide coverage areas, and bare significant costs to today’s operations. The ultimate questions are thus:

• What will be the future network model for broadband data
• What will be the role of installed digital LMR networks
• And what is the migration path for to converge mission critical voice and data

The sector is using already today quite a few applications where not only the Land Mobile Networks’ data capabilities are used, but also noncritical data applications. These solutions often include vehicle computers with a single broadband link. All mission critical data is using the limited capacities of the LMR –networks. The used services require more and more critical data applications and hence the discussion around transitional dedicated networks.

The criticality is the key enabler for the future data applications. When the current applications are taken more and more towards enabling criticality, the requirements for the transition need to be taken into more close attention.

 

Filling the Gap Today

Let’s look at the general requirements a bit more closely.  If we consider the alternatives for the future development presented previously, the funding is the major influencing factor. With the current economical situation in the world, it would be unreasonable to think that a major part of the countries would either build their totally own dedicated broadband networks or even build the access networks required for the critical operation. The alternative of implementing dedicated channels or dedicated service layers seems monetarily more appropriate. This, however, will require a creation of policies, partnerships and planning that will take their time. These novel approaches will also require still research, development and testing. As still all is possible and still price effective, this kind of approaches will certainly provide the paths towards future implementations.

The alternative of using existing commercial networks, would be easiest to implement but questions the most important aspect of the future services. Will commercial networks ever fulfill the criticality demands of PS data? If we could overcome the challenges of guaranteed access, quality of service, reliability, resiliency, interoperability, spectrum efficiency and high availability with current networks, we could use existing solutions for mission critical data. This would also mean that no transitional network phase is needed. This is certainly an interesting thought.

 

Improve Tetra by Separating Data

Tetra is well implemented in many of the countries with well-developed systems for public safety mobile communication. Tetra is, however, designed for voice and in fact increased data usage jeopardizes the main functionality: excellent digital voice services. A way to improve Tetra functionality is to direct the data traffic away from Tetra networks. The utilization of existing commercial data networks is the modern killer application. With this approach,  as an additional benefit, one is able to build new advanced services that require high availability broadband capacities.

 

I just had a conversation with a chief security officer about a big accident scene at a highway in Finland. They had large amount of units at the scene and practically the whole Tetra network was blocked due to high number of both voice and data connections. They needed, eventually, to use their commercial phones to call the local 112 to order ambulances to the scene. Tetra was blocked. One of the main reasons that blocked the Tetra, was the data capabilities in every vehicle using Tetra.

 

It is actually ridiculous to use data in Tetra. The capacities are limited to theoretical 10 kbit/s as even the worst commercial networks can give over 200 kbit/s when in GPRS mode. Nowadays practically all countries with Tetra have broadband networks that give even over 5Mbit/s capacities easily.

 

The demands of new applications have its consequences in declining the Tetra functionality. Current solution that needs to be implemented is a hybrid of Tetra and commercial networks. In the evolution the dedicated public safety broadband may or may not come. But this development should not be waited for, since we can start to improve the Tetra availability and to introduce new broadband services already today.

 

The solution needs to include multichannel usage of existing networks, very fast and flexible switch over from network to another, session persistent solutions and state of the art encryption. Most of all the actual users should not need to be bothered by the connectivity issues at all. That’s why all modifications or tuning of the connectivity needs to be done from a centralized and secured location remotely.

 

Goodmill Systems is the only router manufacturer that has implemented country wide solution for PSS broadband vehicle data. It can be and is done. It’s, like always in our business, about saving lives. Let’s start today. For more in this, please visit Goodmill Systems at PMR Expo 2012 in Cologne 27-29 of November. Goodmill Systems Ltd.  Hall 10.2 Booth E04.

 

Juhani Lehtonen

 

Goodmill Systems Ltd.

Broadband Data Connectivity for Mission Critical PSS users

The demand for savings and efficiency increase are a constant struggle in public safety. Still no one is willing to jeopardize the functionality and the service level of the operations. The risks of modern world, including terrorist attacks or nature catastrophes, are in fact increasing. This leaves the actors to think about the capabilities of modern technology. Better communication has improved efficiency in other fields, why shouldn’t it accomplish similar effects in public safety.

The mobile connectivity has changed the lives of everyone. With the boom of handheld smartphones every user understands the benefits and capabilities of the wireless internet. Simultaneously most of the public safety operators lack behind in TETRA –type or even older analog technologies. It is difficult to understand why an expensive public safety vehicle shouldn’t have the same or better capabilities than most of the teenagers have in their pockets.

Efficient modern public safety organizations demand access to databases like patient records, criminal registers, stolen car registers and even building drawings. This all could be realized by saving the all necessary data inside the vehicle computers, as done often, but this approach creates problems with updating the files. A key imperative is that this data is always up to date, since otherwise our security and health is endangered.

Services are the key

The idea of the broadband availability in vehicles is quite simple. How could we improve the operations if all necessary data was available there where it is first needed?  Services that are needed in the vehicles include

• biometric checks
• database queries
• image and file transfer
• location based services
• and ultimately streaming video

Information sharing between jurisdictions will be important when making PSS operations more effective. This means collecting and forwarding data between the officers various jurisdiction data bases. If we are happy with current voice based queries and in best cases SMS-type data services, all these applications are impossible. It is obvious that broadband capability that fits the public safety requirements is the imperative for efficiency improvement. This creates the next dilemma. What is needed from the PSS broadband solution technically and how can we afford it?

No need for dedicated broadband networks

Current PRM systems cannot offer required data capacity for above mentioned broadband applications. Simultaneously no single existing commercial broadband network can offer needed coverage, availability and reliability. The cost of building a suitable dedicated PSS broadband network is through the roof and thus out of question.

The only way to tackle this techno-economical problem is multi-channel routing technology. The multi-channel router technology offers means to utilize existing parallel commercial and private networks. Multi-channel routers need to be populated with several parallel wireless terminals supporting a wide variety of different radio technologies or operators’ networks. Routing of mission critical traffic need be performed always using the best network available.

A solution is needed, not just boxes

The target of the public safety vehicle is to use it efficiently. Since routing elements are outside office premises the solution requires means to maintain and control the terminals and routers. For this reason a remote device management, which allows easy and accurate management of installed devices, is required. Through this remote management system administrator can monitor and control the utilization of different networks and even further optimize the usage of available capacities based on the collected usage information. This all saves money and brings the Total Cost of Ownership to an acceptable level. It is also a safety issue. When actually no configuration is possible inside the vehicle, the control of the connectivity remains always centralized.

Future proof solution

Adaptation to new emerging LTE technology will also be much easier and smoother if broadband connectivity is introduced to the field users using already broadband data. The new services that demand extremely high bandwidths can be easily introduced on top of the exiting platforms. The multichannel approach enables the usage of LTE where it is implemented and the next best alternative elsewhere. As the LTE networks grow, the coverage for these services will gradually improve.

The good news is that this is all available today. Advanced public safety operators use this type of system efficiently today. There is no reason why a similar system should not benefit all the officers in the 3,3 Million public safety vehicles in the world!

Petteri Suomalainen
CEO, Goodmill Systems Ltd.