VZW, Motorola Solutions team for LTE solution targeting public-safety

Verizon Wireless and Motorola Solutions are teaming together to offer an LTE solution for public-safety groups, a move that would enable public-safety users to roam onto Verizon Wireless’ LTE network where they do not have their own LTE coverage.
“As a result of this alliance, public-safety agencies may benefit from economies of scale and optimized network design that can be customized for their requirements,” the companies said in a joint news release. “The alliance allows agencies to supplement their mission critical core platforms with the rich media services, and the increased capacity and coverage of Verizon Wireless’ LTE network.”
USB modems and an array of portable handheld devices that are tailored to public safety will be available to first responders, according to the companies. “Motorola Solutions is building a portfolio of public safety devices. The portfolio will include a variety of form factors as well as varying levels of support for multiple bands and networks,” the company said. “All the devices will support the public safety 700 MHz network and many will also be capable of operating on Verizon’s network including their 700 MHz 4G LTE network or 3G network. The first devices will be commercially available with the launch of our Public Safety LTE solution in the second half of this year.”
Public-safety agencies still struggle with interoperability issues as different groups use different frequencies and different equipment that cannot always talk to each other. Further, agencies need wireless broadband access in order to exploit multimedia capabilities like video streaming. For example, a law enforcement official responding to a robbery call could access video surveillance cameras to see what is happening in the area in real time.
Motorola and the city of San Francisco are building out a public-safety network at 700 MHz using LTE technology under a $50.6 million government grant. The award marks the first time the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has given money to fund a public-safety network. The network will use an experimental license at 700 MHz to connect first responders throughout the greater San Francisco Bay area using new LTE equipment that will be backward compatible with Project 25 equipment used by public-safety workers today.