Mobile Responder Communication Networks for Public Safety

We explore and contrast the requirements and various other factors that have shaped the technological evolution of public safety and commercial wireless systems. Furthermore, we discuss how public safety wireless networks can evolve to allow public safety users to take better advantage of the economies of scale, pace of innovation, and rich set of features provided by 3rd - and next-generation commercial wireless technologies. In particular, we propose the creation of Mobile Responder Communication Networks (MRCNs) that are shared across Government agencies and provide local, regional or national coverage in order to enable interoperable responses to large-scale catastrophes while providing increased coverage and reduced costs. In addition to public safety wireless technologies, MRCNs will incorporate commercial wireless technologies with enhancements that allow mission critical tactical group voice support, better service availability, and interoperability.