As emergency teams make use of expanding amounts of real-time video and data, employment of an advanced, reliable LTE antenna solution is crucial.  Such data, like streaming video, has become an integral part of emergency responders’ daily communications.  As a result, public safety industry communications methods are rapidly evolving.  Exploring the major trends and the challenges facing the public safety industry is a fundamental component of selecting the best LTE antenna as communications issues can affect emergency response times.

In three parts, Mobile Mark discusses the major trends and challenges facing the public safety industry and provides solutions to emergency responders’ communications obstacles:

Part One of Selecting the Optimal 700MHz LTE Antenna for Public Safety Communications discusses, in detail, the key challenges facing the public safety industry.

Part Two of Selecting the Optimal 700MHz LTE Antenna for Public Safety Communications delineates how an antenna which accommodates several frequencies can enable emergency responders to seamlessly transition between communication systems.

Part Three of Selecting the Optimal 700MHz LTE Antenna for Public Safety Communications highlights the importance of using an antenna with  low V.S.W.R., ensuring the mechanical quality of the antenna is robust and, concurrently, sleek in design.

Key Challenges Facing the Public Safety Industry

One of the major challenges facing the public safety industry is implementing the new First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) within the 700 MHz spectrum.  Since interoperability will be key to defining the various protocols needed for mass deployment, a cooperative effort to define communications standards will allow the industry to accelerate innovation and develop cost-effective systems.  Already standards development is under way within the industry to ensure that whenever a police unit arrives at an event, rapid and seamless communication will be enabled through 700 MHz LTE antenna systems.

The industry also faces other technical challenges beyond resolving interoperability.  Quality and security both are concerns when communicating within the 700 MHz LTE spectrum because of the transmission standards, such as MIMO (multiple-input, multiple output), being used.  The high cost of implementing this new system also means that traditional VHF and UHF systems will be used for local communications such as dispatch for the foreseeable future as interoperable LTE systems begin to be used at incident sites.

Given these interoperability and implementation challenges, emergency responders must carefully choose an LTE antenna that best meets their communications needs. A multiband antenna (i.e., an antenna with MIMO LTE and MIMO Wi-Fi along with GPS in a common radome) simplifies installation and conserves vehicle mounting space.  These factors, combined with proven MIMO LTE performance, top the list of requirements when purchasing an LTE antenna.

Changes to technology and communications in the public safety industry continue to present serious challenges. When responding to emergency situations, a lag in communication should never occur.  Rapid, seamless communication is paramount because every moment in an emergency is critical.  With this understood, Mobile Mark is prepared to assist and offer advanced solutions to companies in the public safety industry, all over the world.  Contact Mobile Mark with your inquiries regarding LTE antennas for emergency responders at info@mobilemark.com, 1-800-648-2400 or 847-671-6690.