Alcatel-Lucent and EADS Defence and Security have teamed to jointly develop a next-generation public-safety communications solution based on LTE and public safety's Project 25 standards to bring to market a fully integrated solution based on IP technologies.
The joint solution is expected to push interoperable voice, video and data communications among local, state and federal public-safety agencies and reduce costs associated with maintaining multiple non-interoperable networks. Today, few disparate public-safety agencies can communicate with each other using existing equipment.
The two companies said they initially will define, develop, integrate and qualify a joint end-to-end solution for the 700 MHz public-safety spectrum to meet the specialized needs of the public safety markets in the United States. The cooperation may eventually be expanded to worldwide markets and other frequencies.
Alcatel-Lucent will adapt its LTE-based radio access network, enhanced packet core, IMS and IP backhaul infrastructure and systems to the frequency band dedicated to broadband public safety services in the U.S. Alcatel-Lucent will also provide integration, validation and testing solutions and services, while EADS will provide LMR infrastructure and systems, LTE terminals and public safety applications. EADS will also provide integration, validation and testing solutions and services.
The move should prompt competitor Motorola to defend its P25 turf and marry LTE with it as well. The vendor has been relatively quiet when it comes to its plans targeting public safety in the 700 MHz band.
For more:
- see this release
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