Verizon Business Launches IP-Based Service to Link Public Safety Communications Networks...

Verizon Business Launches IP-Based Service to Link Public Safety
Communications Networks During Emergencies
Interoperability Solution Designed to Overcome Long-Standing Barriers to
Direct Communication Caused by Incompatible Systems

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Business has
introduced a new service designed to enable police, fire and other public
safety personnel to communicate directly with one another by radio, phone or
e-mail during an emergency -- even if they are using incompatible
communications systems.
The service, Verizon Communications Interoperability Solution, is an
Internet protocol (IP)-based platform that integrates radio as well as voice,
data and wireless networks so that they can operate as a single network, thus
enabling better communications among diverse federal, state and local public
safety organizations.
This service helps remedy a long-standing problem that public safety and
federal regulatory officials have been attempting to resolve. The issue was
highlighted during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, when
New York City's police and fire departments could not communicate with each
other during the rescue efforts because their radios operated on different
frequencies.
[Note: An audio podcast discussing Verizon Communications
Interoperability Solution is available at
http://www.podtech.net/home/5315/verizon-business-leverages-ip-to-link-first-
responders-during-times-of-crisis (Due to length of URL, please copy and paste
into web browser).]
"The ability to effectively communicate during crisis situations is
critical, especially given today's legacy patchwork of first-responder
communications systems," said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief
marketing officer, Verizon Business. "Verizon Communications Interoperability
Solution is a powerful tool that underscores how Verizon Business continues to
bring innovation through IP."
The state of West Virginia has signed up to use the new service, which is
now available throughout the U.S. and is also well-suited for business
customers with large campuses or widespread facilities, such as universities
and manufacturing plants.
"Under the leadership of Gov. Joe Manchin, West Virginia has made
emergency communications a top priority," said Jimmy Gianato, director of the
West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
"Verizon Communications Interoperability Solution solves a long-standing
critical need and will be instrumental in enabling our agencies to better
communicate with other critical first responders during times of crisis and,
in the process, help save lives and protect property."
The Verizon Business interoperability service works this way:
Police and fire departments, emergency medical services and other public
safety organizations identified by a government entity as primary points of
contact during a crisis each set aside a channel on their radio systems. When
activated, the service -- using routers, interfaces and other equipment placed
at the customer's premises -- links up all of the set-aside channels and
converts them into IP. This enables all of the participating public safety
organizations to communicate directly with one another, regardless of radio
frequencies or other communications platforms.
The service can also link wireline and wireless voice calls and e-mail and
text messages to the interoperable communications system. In addition, the
service can be programmed to use prearranged phone numbers and radio
frequencies to automatically alert public safety organizations when there is a
crisis. Additional numbers can also be added easily during times of crisis.
Verizon Business' Private IP service is the ideal foundation for this
solution as it supports the required features -- quality of service (QoS) and
IP multicasting. QoS enables customers to prioritize traffic, and IP
multicasting is a network-based service that helps conserve bandwidth by
replicating data and sending it to pre-determined users. In addition, the
Verizon Communication Interoperability Solution can be deployed over any IP
network as long as minimum technical requirements are met.
Before the interoperability platform is deployed, Verizon Business
professional services experts work with the customer and conduct an IP network
readiness assessment to determine the ability of existing infrastructure to
support the new service. The offering is cost effective because it leverages
existing infrastructure.
Verizon Communications Interoperability Solution, the latest addition to
Verizon Business' emergency communications portfolio, is a customer premises
equipment-based service that employs Cisco's IP Interoperability and
Communications System portfolio of devices and applications. Verizon Business
is the first North American service provider to offer this Cisco-based
platform.
In 2009, Verizon Business plans to introduce managed and hosted versions
of this solution, which will offer public safety agencies greater choice and
flexibility.
"Utilizing the transformative power of IP, Cisco and Verizon Business are
changing the way first responders communicate and share information during
times of crisis," said Bill Stuntz, vice president and general manager of
Cisco's physical security business unit. "Using IP as the foundation to
deliver truly interoperable communications, Verizon Communications
Interoperability Solution combines the strength of Verizon Business' IP
network and professional services capabilities with the flexibility and
scalability of Cisco IP Interoperability and Communication System."
Serving the unique requirements of federal, state and local government
public safety agencies, Verizon Business offers a comprehensive portfolio of
specialized networking, call center, and data storage and processing
capabilities to help homeland security, fire, police and medical response
teams effectively respond to emergencies.
[Note: Verizon Communications Interoperability Solutions will be
demonstrated in the company's booth (#124) at the Association of Public-Safety
Communications Officials annual conference in Kansas City, Mo., August 3-7 at
the Kansas City Convention Center.]
About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), operates
the world's most connected public IP network and uses its industry-leading
global-network capabilities to offer large-business and government customers
an unmatched combination of security, reliability and speed. The company
integrates advanced IP communications and information technology (IT) products
and services to deliver leading enterprise solutions including managed
services, security, mobility, collaboration and professional services. These
solutions power innovation and enable the company's customers to do business
better. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.
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SOURCE Verizon Business

Kevin W. Irland of Verizon Business, +1-703-886-1117,
kevin.w.irland@verizon.com