Public safety progress

A new report from Frost & Sullivan highlights the potential role that wireless broadband technologies will play in the public safety applications segment.

Published in December of last year the report states that over the next few years, the public safety application segment is likely to emerge as a key domain for wireless broadband technology providers. In the light of numerous unforeseen terrorist attacks and unanticipated natural disasters over the last decade, which have the loopholes in emergency communications, governments worldwide have clearly understood the role of advanced communication technologies. Consequently, many governments have eased their regulatory environments by lowering the barriers to entry for foreign companies and releasing dedicated spectrum for public safety, says the report.

"IP-based communications is one of the most significant drivers of wireless broadband for public safety communications, as it solves one of the fundamental challenges faced in this segment - interoperability," notes Technical Insights Research Analyst Anirudh S. Srinivasan. "Besides its ability to connect disparate radio systems and frequency bands, the IP platform also enables future technologies to be incorporated as and when required, without getting stuck with a single vendor or protocol," he added.

The report discusses the role that WiMAX and LTE, which offer an IP based network, will play in the future of emergency communications for both fixed and mobile public safety providers.

It is evident that the near future is more likely to witness an integrated infrastructure with P25 Phase2 or TEDS, alongside WiMAX or LTE, says the report. A multilayer network capable of supporting disparate technological standards by using multiple nodal radios capable of operating in several frequency bands, would offer the best environment for offering a versatile wireless broadband network.

Developments over the next three to six years are expected to be crucial for wireless broadband technologies, states the report, with the analogue television spectrum likely to be cleared by most countries and auctioned off for mobile broadband operators.

Moreover, the report predicts that LTE deployments are likely to have gained traction by 2011, beginning to offer stiff competition to WIMAX, and the economic recovery is anticipated to trigger a new growth wave.

However, security issues are expected to pose a major roadblock to wider adoption in this segment despite the fact that wireless connectivity provides greater flexibility and near-ubiquitous coverage.

"Wireless communications are still prone to interception and security breaches regardless of advances in encryption techniques and wireless security protocols," added fellow Technical Insights Research Analyst Archit Subramanian. "The difficulty of ensuring security in commercial Wi-Fi networks is well known, but with mission-critical public safety communications this challenge is compounded manifold."

Counter-terrorism agents and law-enforcement officials cannot risk the prospect of having criminals and terrorists gaining access to critical information. The report highlights the need to integrate high standards of resilience and on-the-move mobility adds to the complexity of wireless broadband deployment.

"The seriousness of an unreliable communication network for mission-critical public safety operations, is clearly evident; particularly, reliable connectivity cannot be compromised within critical indoor environments such as during fire and rescue operations," says Srinivasan. "Vacating parts of the 700 MHz television spectrum for public safety communications in the United States is a step in the right direction, as frequencies in this band offer better penetration and consequently better connectivity and improved reliability."

Synergistic partnerships between the industry and governing bodies can help deal with such impediments dogging the market landscape, says the report. The onus is on companies to garner support from public safety agencies, governing bodies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and decision makers in the government, to understand and bridge the capability gap.