For many years, narrowband land mobile radio (LMR) networks and user radio equipment have been critical tools for public safety mobile communications. Yet a recent survey of first responders found that when asked to list all of the devices they depend on every day, smartphones (72%) narrowly beat LMR (68%). This reflects the recent modernization and maturity of public safety devices due to an increased demand for bandwidth-intensive applications, such as video, advanced mapping and analytics. As a result, many public safety agencies have begun to adopt broadband 4G LTE cellular networks.
Understanding the need for both LMR and LTE
The trend of adopting LTE has caused some to ask if LTE will completely replace land mobile radio. The short answer is no, at least not for some time. Instead, the best option going forward is to modernize your approach by connecting the two technologies and making the most of their respective advantages.
Integration, rather than substitution, is important. Even though LTE failback standards have been developed, land mobile radio technology will remain valuable for its variety of failsafe options to preserve communications even when network components are damaged or inoperable. Industry experts share this viewpoint. Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Systems market size has a projected worth of US$ 81.90 billion by 2031, with a 10.8% CAGR.
Integrating LMR and LTE
When asked about important needs from communications equipment, first responders overwhelmingly said coordination between agencies (93% of respondents) and interoperability (80%) were critical to mission success during a crisis. This makes sense as whatever the emergency, first responders have to stay in constant contact to make critical decisions.
At the same time, technology continues to improve both their situational awareness and their ability to respond to emergencies. This includes purpose-built applications to manage data about hazardous materials, for example, or patient monitoring devices. These applications show how first responders not only need to talk in real time but also need to share text, images and other forms of information.
The higher bandwidth, lower latency and improved spectrum efficiency of LTE devices offer a potential lifeline for public safety agencies in this regard.
LTE devices can integrate with any manufacturer's P25 LMR radio system and many other radio networks. This integration can enable seamless communication between cellular and radio and provides an easy way to expand interoperability, regardless of the carrier. The devices complement the mission-critical capabilities of land mobile radio networks nationwide by expanding those networks to a greater number of users, either by including personnel without access to radios or enabling first responders on different radio networks to share information seamlessly.
LTE also provides broadband capabilities unavailable to narrowband LMR users, like live video streaming and multimedia data exchange.
Building upon the standards of land mobile radio to support first responders
In 2020, the Verizon team introduced Group First Response (GFR). This is a mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) service that uses 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards to leverage LTE across a variety of devices. Complementing the capabilities of LMR networks, Group First Response offers seamless communication through voice, video and data sharing.
Verizon’s Push to Talk Plus (PTT+) is a mobile app that connects you to contacts using many devices, including basic phones, smartphones and tablets. It uses reliable calling over the Verizon network or Wi-Fi. PTT+ Land Mobile Radio (LMR) interoperability allows users of LMR networks to communicate seamlessly with PTT+ users and is available at three levels, radio (RoIP), Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and console subsystem Interface (CSSI).
First responders can expect LTE network reliability and be confident their sensitive communication is protected through multiple levels of authentication from any unauthorized access. Public safety users can text, exchange data and, in the future, stream critical live video to assess the situation on the ground and help formulate faster, more effective responses—all with the push of a button.
In the heat of the moment, first responders can only be successful through timely decision-making. Technology is evolving that allows for communication across both LMR and LTE networks, where first responders can stay in contact easily virtually anywhere. Modernizing based on the latest advancements could be an essential step in ensuring the best outcomes for public safety.
By combining Group First Response with the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network, first responders get the next-level interoperability and critical communication features they need in lifesaving situations. Verizon's network is America's No. 1 network in public safety1 and covers more than 99% of the nation's population, so public safety agencies can get the coverage they need in emergencies.
When your mission requires fast, secure communications, you need a network you can count on. Learn more about Push to Talk Plus (PTT+) for first responders.
The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.
1 Based on quarterly reported third party wireless voice market share data, Q2 2022.