Hughes and Thales complete testing satellite based LTE mobile network

Hughes Network Systems, together with Thales, has successfully completed testing a rapidly deployable long-term evolution (LTE) mobile networking technology through satellite, validating private system-on-wheels communications between first responders and emergency operations centres.

Leveraging the blend of Hughes Spaceway 3 and Jupiter high-throughput technologies, with the Thales B-14 system-on-wheels, the technology can be set up anywhere virtually, making it suitable for emergency response networks.

Hughes Government Solutions assistant vice-president Tony Bardo said: "The key to emergency preparedness and response is ensuring first responders can communicate with each other and with Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) to share information about the disaster and coordinate the response to it — no matter where they are located.

"This successful test proves that Hughes satellite technology and systems, combined with Thales LTE deployable system-on-wheels, provides the public safety community with a mobile networking solution that is easy to use, dependable, and enhances capabilities over current narrowband voice radio systems."

The system also operated on 700MHz public safety spectrum, validating its performance and interoperability with public safety network requirements.

Further, the locally deployable broadband network facilitated the first responders, using their smartphones and vehicular modems, communicate and share video with each other and EOCs.

The test paves way for the implementation of latest innovation for the public safety community and emergency operators, while ensuring secure, reliable connectivity via the combined mobile and satellite communications technologies.

Thales Advanced Programs vice-president Lewis Johnston said: "Cellular and broadband networks see the most congestion right after a catastrophe.

"As people scramble to reach loved ones, first responders spring into action, facing the same communication challenges as the general public at a time when the need to communicate between each other and with EOCs is the most critical.

"Our deployable 4G/LTE secured communications solution enables the security, availability and resilience of mission-critical applications to solve this problem, which is vital to the public safety mission."

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