Harris Demonstrates Small Deployable Public Safety Mobile Broadband in Remote California

To showcase the possibility of delivering real-time data and video to first responders in remote, rugged areas, on August 14, Harris successfully completed a first-of-kind demonstration to public safety officials featuring the use of small, deployable satellite-supported broadband LTE services.

The demonstration, held in the Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, Livermore, California, a location with no commercial cellular coverage, used Harris’ managed satellite services for broadband backhaul to provide connectivity to 700 MHz Band 14 LTE and Land Mobile Radio (LMR) hotspots.  Participants representing EMS, firefighters, and Incident Command used Harris’ LTE InTouch® RPC-200 handheld devices and RF-3590 tablet, and LMR handheld radios, to share voice and data in response to a demonstration wildfire scenario.  Participants experienced enhanced local coordination via streaming video, mapping, and voice applications.  Harris’ managed satellite services and secure terrestrial backbone provided connectivity between incident participants (Incident Command, First Responders) and County Dispatch.

James Teel, Director of Business Development for Harris, said of the successful demonstration:
Covering every square meter of the nation with LTE public safety broadband – no matter the environment – will call for creative and cost-effective mission-critical solutions.  Harris’ small deployable mobile broadband demonstration on August 14 before public safety officials is proof of the possible.  Participants witnessed real-time data, video, and voice exchange among participants in a remote area of California, as well as out to a dispatch center thousands of miles away.  It’s fast, reliable, mission-critical information at first responders’ fingertips that can improve local coordination and save lives.  Harris has a strong commitment to help lead first responders into that next generation of critical communications with cutting edge solutions – LTE broadband, secure satellite backhaul, rugged LTE devices and intelligent applications – wherever they are and whenever they need it.

Larry Spangler, Director of Business Development for Harris CapRock, added: 
Harris understands that highly dependable communications are just not optional for first responders.  We are able to leverage strengths from across Harris including deployable mobile broadband capabilities and managed satellite services to serve as a trusted comprehensive communications partner for public safety officials.

The demonstration featured key products and operations from Harris, including:  
•    Localized “on-demand” network
•    Small footprint in terms of size, weight and power
•    Quick set-up
•    Data-rich applications

About the demonstration:
Incident Command set up an SUV equipped with an advanced mobile satellite terminal to quickly establish connectivity to the surrounding area using portable Band 14 LTE and LMR hotspots.  Participants’ voice communications were handled over the Harris BeOn® application, which provided IP-based group communications services for LTE and LMR users to seamlessly talk among each other.

•    The scenario included two demonstration firefighting teams working to contain a wild land fire in separate areas, and the injury of one first responder.  The two teams relied on streaming video and mapping to coordinate a mock rescue and evacuation.

•    With the technology, those serving as Incident Command notified County Dispatch of the injury and shared video to report the extent of injury. EMS participants were dispatched and assisted by one team of firefighter personnel to facilitate the mock evacuation.  Once on the scene, an EMT demo participant used Harris’ LTE tablet to simulate how it would be possible to capture the patient’s vitals, images and audio notes and then transmit the data to a local emergency room.