How Comtech Fits into Next Generation 9-1-1

The public safety ecosystem is experiencing a massive disruption with the advent of Next Generation 9-1-1. The previous generation of emergency communication systems supported voice and text communication, and the location of the emergency caller. Next Generation 9-1-1 is an all-Internet Protocol (IP)-based, secure, interoperable, nationwide emergency communications infrastructure that enables transmission of voice, data, and multimedia between emergency callers and public safety answering points (PSAPs). Additionally, Next Generation 9-1-1 networks support various kinds of related supplemental data to aid the PSAPs in their mission. With the advent of broadband-enabled technologies and IoT (Internet of Things), a multitude of possibilities now exist to enhance the service of Next Generation 9-1-1. This disruption is not limited to North America (US and Canada); there are similar initiatives in Europe around NG 1-1-2 and other countries in South America and Asia are adopting the Next Generation 9-1-1 model as well.

With Geographic Information Systems (GIS), broadband technologies, and real-time location capabilities, added to supplemental data from internet-enabled devices near the emergency location, first responders can more effectively take action in crisis situations with localized situational awareness. Situational information gathered about the caller or from the incident location will enable responders to react quickly and send the appropriate amount and type of support.

The first mobile call to 9-1-1 in 1998 was routed to a PSAP using Comtech’s Xypoint platform. Since then, Comtech has filled many vital roles in public safety becoming an integral part of the greater public safety ecosystem. We enable PSAPs to connect with callers using our industry standardized call handling software that can communicate via text and voice while displaying the caller’s location and supplemental data integrated into GIS software. Comtech’s systems are customizable in real time to consume and display any type of map and data providing complete situational awareness to the call handler.

Comtech’s vision of public safety communications is a comprehensive network of human-driven data and machine-generated information to provide reliable, interoperable, location-enhanced, actionable data with multimedia-based interactive communications. Comtech’s goal is to provide better platforms, better applications, and better services to help protect the public in the most effective and efficient manner possible.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can partner with your organization.

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