Harris Corp.'s Technology Used For Public Safety Communications During G-20

The Harris Corp.'s VIDA network and OpenSky technology were used successfully as the communications backbone for the recent G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, the company announced.

Using Harris technology, the Pennsylvania's STARNet system allowed federal agencies, state and local police — along with Allegheny County, the city of Pittsburgh and emergency medical personnel — to use a single communications tool.

"The G-20 Summit was the kind of event where the PA-STARNet system provided the critical ability for federal, state and local officials to communicate in order to maintain public safety," said Charlie Brennan, deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Office of Public Safety Radio Services. "PA-STARNet is a robust statewide network and our G-20 experience demonstrated the system's tremendous capability."

The PA-STARNet system processed more than 100,000 calls during the G-20 Summit, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Public Safety Radio Services. The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Department was the largest user of the system, relying on the network to coordinate communications between police on the ground and PSP helicopters and airplanes.

"Pennsylvania's vision for integrated and interoperable public safety communications was put to the test during the G-20 Summit, which brought thousands of people to the Pittsburgh area," said Chuck Dougherty, president of Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications. "Our VIDA and OpenSky technology, which is the heart of the PA-STARNet system, met the challenge."