AT&T allies with Harris for next-generation public safety agency techology

Chris Hill, the AT&T Vice President of Advanced Business Solutions explains, “This alliance is a first step toward making next-generation technology and services available to agencies who seek competitive options. It’s the beginning of a public safety ecosystem of open devices and applications interoperable with private broadband networks, as they become available.”

Given their past experience supporting public safety and government customers, AT&T and Harris are offering expertise in mission critical network construction and integration, network service management, and interoperable device manufacturing. The benefits of the alliance include a combination of broadband and narrowband Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks, multiple business models to fit agency needs, seamless roaming and nationwide interoperability with AT&T’s 4G network, and a broader portfolio of both commercial and public safety wireless broadband networks.

Steve Marschilok, President of Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications, says that Harris “has extensive experience in mission-critical communications, and a legacy of bringing new technology, such as LTE to public safety and government customers.” He believes “this alliance will look to expand the choices for a growing set of solutions that can be deployed to create an advanced, mission-critical broadband experience for public safety.”

Several future innovations are also being explored, such as a live video feed from traffic cameras to assist first responders with assessing a situation while driving to the site and a tablet that allows mounted police officers to search a suspect’s information from a national database.