Nokia strengthens emergency networks in San Diego

Nokia has used IP/MPLS and packet microwave radio technology to strengthen a public safety network in California.

The vendor is working with the City of San Diego to upgrade it existing network, which it said would “significantly” enhance the response capabilities of the city’s emergency personnel serving its 1.3 million residents.

The new network will result in high-speed and high capacity data services between the city’s municipal departments. First responders such as police and fire departments will be able to conduct video surveillance when arriving at the scene of an emergency.

Kamal Ballout, Head of Sales, Global Enterprise and Public Sector, U.S. for Nokia, said: “Municipal communications networks, particularly in large cities like San Diego, are facing enormous demands as more bandwidth-intensive applications such as video are utilized for public safety and other municipal services. Nokia has the premier end-to-end public safety networking solution to address mission-critical requirements.”

Nokia said the new partnership reflects the company’s increasing focus on building mission-critical networks. As well as a wealth of infrastructure, Nokia is also handling design, engineering, frequency planning and licensing, tower construction, installation, commissioning and field maintenance.

Its strategy chief told journalists at February’s Mobile World Congress that it was placing public safety as one of the key streams of its Internet of Things strategy.

In May it announced a five kilogram network unit in a backpack, which it is aiming at a variety of use cases including bringing connectivity to disaster areas.