Verizon is making its public safety private core available to customers this week. The core will support Verizon’s 4G LTE network for public safety, which includes voice, data and video communications.
The private core will give public safety users access to a range of additional services including traffic segmentation, priority and preemption, improved security, and enhanced service management and control. It is connected to Verizon’s Radio Access Network (RAN) which utilizes spectrum in various bands including the 700 MHz, 800 MHz Cellular, 1.9 GHz PCS, and 1.7/2.1 GHz AWS bands. The public safety core separates data traffic of public safety mobile users from commercial users across Verizon’s 4G LTE network.
Verizon’s core also includes a mobile broadband priority service (MBP). During times of heavy commercial network congestion, MBP users will receive priority over commercial users. MBP enables priority service for public safety officials using applications on smartphones or tablets, transmitting data from first responder vehicles or video from surveillance cameras. MBP can be combined with wireless preemption in order to connect devices and the Internet of Things during critical times.
Public safety users will also have their data immediately recognized as public safety with priority access at the tower and through the network.
Verizon’s news follows AT&T’s announcement earlier this month that its private core is near delivery for FirstNet users. Both networks will offer roughly the same set of services although FirstNet is designed to be a federally backed nationwide network. All 50 states have opted into FirstNet. FirstNet uses public safety’s dedicated spectrum – Band 14 – across statewide radio access networks in states and territories across the country.
AT&T says the FirstNet core will have some unique features including end-to-end encryption and local control.
