CASE STUDY

SmartConnect maintains reliable and uninterrupted communication by automatically switching communication channels from Land Mobile Radio ( LMR ) networks to the best available broadband services . The service can also roam on to satellites for extended coverage in remote areas .

FRNSW – which provides rapid emergency response , firefighting and rescue services – learned tough lessons from the devastating losses of the 2019- 20 bushfire season ultimately leading to a Royal Commission into natural disaster arrangements that provided recommendations to enhance response and resilience to future events .

FRNSW depends on reliable , team-based communication to maintain safety and resilience in every emergency it responds to .

Motorola Solutions Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand , Con Balaskas , said SmartConnect helps to ensure FRNSW personnel stay connected to their essential voice communication in any circumstance .

Using Motorola Solutions ’ SmartConnect , FRNSW ’ s team can maintain uninterrupted communication by automatically switching channels from land mobile radio networks to the best available broadband services or satellites – boosting coverage in remote areas .

It also mitigates the risk of communication dead spots in areas where coverage can suddenly drop such as garages and inside buildings and other built-up city environments and includes end-to-end encryption to maintain security of voice communication .

The investment from the fire and rescue agency comes as it sets up its Connected Firefighter program , which aims to equip firefighters with the latest tech and is part of a broader AU $ 80 million investment from NSW Govt to support enhanced fire service technologies and facilities .

SmartConnect is a new service from Motorola Solutions , to securely extend the coverage and capacity of its mission-critical radio communications .

“ Fire agencies and other emergency services trust LMR networks to provide resilience and widespread coverage to fulfill their mission . By automatically switching between LMR and broadband networks , SmartConnect protects firefighters by helping them to focus on their mission , knowing that their vital communications can roam with them where they need to go ,” Balaskas said .

With end-to-end encryption , SmartConnect helps to maintain the security of voice communication at all times , even when switching from LMR to LTE , Wi-Fi , and satellite networks .

The service also mitigates the risk of communication ‘ dead spots ’ in places where coverage can suddenly drop , including garages , inside buildings and other built-up city environments .

FRNSW ’ s investment in SmartConnect comes as the organization establishes its Connected Firefighter program , which will provide firefighters with the latest information and communications technologies .

The initiative is being delivered in direct response to the 2019 – 20 Bushfire Inquiry and is part of a broader , AU $ 80 million investment from NSW Government as a commitment made in direct response to the 2019 – 20 Bushfire Inquiry that delivers the latest communications information technologies .

More than AU $ 28 million has been invested into the program , which integrates the latest information

62 INTELLIGENTCIO APAC www . intelligentcio . com