Rockwell Collins launches first nationwide network for disaster communications

Rockwell Collins is set to demonstrate its first national disaster communications network for public safety at the Annual Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) 2015 Conference & Expo in Washington, DC, US.

Called ARINC UrgentLink, the radios allows first responders, public health, public safety and critical industry officials to communicate with each other when legacy networks are damaged or destroyed.

Rockwell Collins Information Management Services senior vice-president Jeff Standerski said: "Natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy have, unfortunately, demonstrated the limitations of the current communications infrastructure.

"ARINC UrgentLink is the first network capable of providing reliable communications coverage, even inside the area most directly impacted by the disaster."

Available as a subscription-based service, the radio provides one-touch voice and data connectivity to first responders, hospitals and other critical infrastructure users in the disaster zone, as well as others outside the affected area with access to landline, cell, terrestrial or other communications services.

The network uses Federal Communications Commission licensed radio frequencies that are specifically authorised for disasters and the company’s proprietary high frequency (HF) technology, and operates irrespective of electric power in disaster zone.

"The need for reliable communications supporting first responders and other public safety and critical infrastructure personnel during a disaster is clear — without it, the public’s safety is at risk. ARINC UrgentLink is the ultimate ‘backup to the backup’ for disaster communications," Standerski said.

ARINC UrgentLink network is also capable of removing the limitations that affect the reliability of legacy HF radio point-to-point communications, such as time of day, ionospheric fluctuations, as well as sunspot and frequency selection.

Currently available in selected regions, the network is being deployed throughout the US.