Cradlepoint, known for its cloud-based network solutions for connecting people, places, and things over wired and wireless broadband, announced that emergency responders will now be able to seamlessly transition to the First Responder Network Authority's (FirstNet) Band 14 National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) using its solution.

Cradlepoint's new MC400L2 modem is the first solution with a full range of applications for coordinated response efforts across public and private first responder networks, according to the company. It is also a Band 14 solution that—when integrated with the AER product family—features full Unified Threat Management (UTM) security. This is designed to be a flexible, cost-effective option to support Band 14 migrations, while ensuring reliable, secure connectivity at all times.

The Band 14 frequency supports all emergency communications services, as well as new public safety applications and devices, like laptops, tablets, body and dash cameras, and evidence collection devices. Traditional approaches to connecting Band 14 networks include completely new architectures that can put a strain on the IT department, but Cradlepoint simplifies the move to Band 14 with its modular MC400L2 modem that seamlessly works with any existing Cradlepoint router in the network. This capability reduces complexity and cost when transitioning to Band 14 because it enables the IT department to deploy Band 14 immediately or later with field upgrades. To ensure first responders are always connected and protected, these routers are deployed, secured, and managed by Cradlepoint NetCloud—a network platform designed to bring the simplicity and security of cloud management, Software-Defined Networks (SDN), and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to FirstNet. This should provide public safety agencies and first responders with a flexible, secure, and rapidly-deployable option to support their Band 14 migration programs.

Cradlepoint has also partnered with Panasonic to deliver an integrated mobile computing and connectivity "vehicle area network" solution. The partnership combines Panasonic's rugged Toughbook devices with Cradlepoint's Band 14 routers to provide reliable and secure connectivity to the entire emergency response network, from computers to cameras and sensors.

"It is critical that first responders are able to access the devices and data that keep them and their communities safe, whenever and wherever duty calls. Panasonic is the leader in durable, reliable, high-performance computing devices and our partnership with Cradlepoint ensures these devices feature dependable connectivity," said Victoria Obenshain, vice president of wireless strategy, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. "The addition of Band 14 support to our integrated solutions provides extreme value to first responders. Regardless of whether the NPSBN is already deployed in their cities or coming soon, our customers can deploy a solution that meets current connectivity needs now and supports public safety applications of the future."

"Every day Cradlepoint leverages its LTE and mobile networking expertise and solutions to help public safety organizations keep their people, places, and things always connected and protected. For the public safety vertical, that means ensuring reliability and security for some of the most critical emergency communication systems and networks in the world, like FirstNet's National Public Safety Broadband Network," said Ian Pennell, chief marketing officer, Cradlepoint. "Our support for Band 14 encompasses every application of the public safety organization to ensure first responders have the connectivity they need wherever and whenever they need it. We are pleased to be a solution partner to Panasonic as they provide first responders with the technology they need for the increasing coordination, automation and regulation challenges they face."

Cradlepoint's new MC400L2 Band 14 modem is compatible with a full range of Cradlepoint routing platforms for emergency vehicles, fire and police stations, mobile command posts, machine-to-machine and failover applications. Each integrated solution features WAN diversity to include wired Ethernet, wireless LTE, and the upcoming Band 14 connectivity on a single, cloud-managed platform. The full Unified Threat Management (UTM) security capabilities include a firewall, visibility of which applications are being used, and Intrusion Detection System/Intrusion Prevention System (IDS/IPS) support.

To learn more about Cradlepoint's FirstNet Band 14 solutions, visit cradlepoint.com/whatsnew.