Frost & Sullivan Analyst Perspective
Author: Brent Iadarola | Sr. Vice President, Research
The Foundation for Innovation in Public Safety
The evolution of U.S. wireless communication networks has provided a foundation for unprecedented levels of enhanced connectivity across U.S. public safety platforms. 5G, in particular, is radically changing how public safety entities think about connectivity, triggering an array of compelling opportunities to optimize the way first responders identify, react, and respond to emergency events.
With U.S. smartphone penetration now exceeding 90 percent, Frost & Sullivan research indicates nearly 85 percent of 9-1-1 calls now originate from a mobile device. While the average number of 9-1-1 incidents per year has stayed relatively stable in recent years, the volume of data per incident has increased exponentially due to the proliferation of IP-based communications exchanges now supported by Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911).i With the rise of ‘smart’ communities and the associated surge in IoT-initiated data from connected security systems, commercial buildings, vehicles, homes, schools, and wearables, the next generation of public safety will be characterized by a surge in connected assets that can be leveraged to enhance emergency response and reporting.
Ultimately, the objective of any 9-1-1 call or alert is to get emergency responders on the scene with the appropriate resources as quickly as possible – and connectivity is critical to these operations. Communications service providers (CSPs) that leverage dedicated network infrastructure to intelligently and securely manage mission-critical communications that enhance the speed, accuracy, and preparation of first responders are best positioned to provide the tools to optimize outcomes of emergency events. Thus, public safety-grade networks that support secure, high speed, low latency, prioritized IP-based communications have emerged as the foundation of the next generation of public safety.
Prioritized Communications: Tier-1 U.S. Carrier Solutions
FirstNet, Built with AT&T
FirstNetii is built in public-private partnership with the federal government and has been adopted by more first responders than any other public safety network in the U.S. FirstNet provides a dedicated, secure network core, dedicated spectrum, and always-on priority and preemption across the nation’s largest 5G and LTE coverage footprint. It is the only network that provides first responders with high-power signaling Band 14 spectrum and now supports more than 6.7 million connections and representing nearly 29,500 public safety agencies.
Verizon Frontline
Verizon provides priority connectivity and communications solutions to public safety entities and first responders on their commercial network via their Frontline virtual core. In addition to 5G spectrum, Verizon’s 4G LTE network uses Band 13. Band 13, while not dedicated, is adjacent to Band 14 in the 700 MHz band.
T-Mobile T-Priority (TP)
T-Mobile recently launched ‘T-Priority’ which enables 5G network slicing for first responders. T- Priority (TP) offers eligible customers access to a ‘5G Slice’ on the T-Mobile commercial network and is designed to provide public safety users with prioritized network access.
Defining a ‘5G Slice’
A ‘5G slice’ is a virtualized portion of a 5G network that provides tailored connectivity and resources optimized for specific use cases. Network slicing is not new; limited examples exist of real-world network slicing use cases in 4G, and larger-scale network slicing is anticipated as 5G matures. At a basic level, a network slice is a virtual network that runs on a shared physical network. The network slice is configured to provide certain desired network capabilities. As such, the 5G network of the future may contain many different slices, with the ability to cater to a specific customer requirement or set of needs.
CSPs do not offer network slices directly; instead, they form the basis to enable the required network characteristics are delivered and provide the value enterprises want to purchase.Connectivity-related characteristics may include designated quality and/or reliability, specified latency, minimum data speed, defined security, or a particular level of energy efficiency. Network slices could include associated services such as analytics capabilities, security-related services, or specialized charging; therefore, a network slice can be designed to certain connectivity-related characteristics and potentially offer a specified set of services. While one enterprise may require extreme reliability and low latency, another may need high bandwidth but have less demand for low latency.
Network slicing is end-to-end and impacts the radio access network (RAN), the transport network, the edge/core network, and devices. This means network slicing will require a 5G stand-alone (SA) network that includes upgrades to the RAN, the transport network, the edge/core network, and market adoption of the latest devices.
5G NSA Networks versus 5G SA Networks
To accelerate the availability of 5G globally, an interim architecture—5G NSA—was introduced. This enabled the deployment of 5G RAN that utilizes both the 4G RAN and the 4G core network to operate. 4G is deeply entrenched globally, with more than 800 CSPs globally currently operating 4G networks. After more than a decade since it was introduced, 4G is mature and stable. The 5G NSA architecture enables CSPs to begin offering 5G to their customers and work out the kinks on the front end (the 5G RAN) while keeping the stability of the rest of the 4G network. However, to fully provide all the capabilities that 5G promises, 5G NSA networks must evolve to 5G SA networks where there is no dependence on 4G capabilities.
Today, most 5G networks are 5G NSA, and some carriers have strategically depended on 5G NSA for their public safety customers and their mission-critical communications to provide the benefits of 5G connectivity with the time-tested reliability of the 4G network core. But the number of 5G SA networks is slowly increasing. While it may take a few years, most— if not all—5G networks will eventually stand alone and the term 5G NSA will become a historical footnote. Thus, many CSPs are currently transitioning their commercial wireless networks to 5G standalone as wireless technology continues to evolve. It is also important to consider potential equipment implications when considering 5G SA as it requires a compatible device.iii As such, not all devices, especially public safety’s legacy communications equipment, are compatible with 5G SA networks and refreshing these devices involves an increased cost burden on public safety.
5G Slicing in Public Safety: Proceed with Caution
First responders traditionally rely on reliable and mature technology that is consistent and predictable as they do not have the luxury to experiment with emerging technologies or applications when lives are literally on the line. In general, public safety administrators are not risk takers and typically prioritize reliable performance, proven deployments, vendor stability, interoperability, hardened security, and compliance with industry standards above all else.
Network slicing can be offered on public and private 5G networks. Figuratively, a 5G slice could be compared to an express or priority lane on a highway or interstate. During off-peak hours, the lane may be open to all traffic, however, during rush hour (or predetermined hours defined by a customer), the lane is explicitly reserved for approved vehicles (or customers). While network slicing has seen moderate traction in areas such as gaming, smart manufacturing, warehouse distribution, retail, logistics and asset tracking, there has been a more cautious approach in public safety.
When a 5G slice is deployed on commercial networks, there is always an inherent risk of resource contention and unstable performance given shared nature of commercial networks. Thus, there are legitimate concerns of whether slices of commercial networks are prepared to appropriately handle the stringent requirements and niche demands of many public safety use cases, especially mission critical communications. While 5G clearly has a promising future in the next generation of public safety, Frost & Sullivan advocates a cautious approach to leveraging 5G slicing for public safety applications. Ideally, public safety agencies should monitor emerging use cases in tangential vertical markets to see how features, functionality and performance evolve as the technology matures.
THE LAST WORD: The Full Interstate vs a Priority Lane
As a public-private partnership authorized by Congress and endorsed by the federal government (FirstNet Authority), FirstNet is uniquely positioned in the public safety sector. In contrast to other prioritized communications offerings, FirstNet is held to defined standards mandated and monitored by the federal government, as well as the FirstNet Authority Board, which is comprised of public safety stakeholders. Ultimately, this arrangement obligates FirstNet to deliver public safety- grade standards of performance that are vigorously tested and meet the evolving demands of public safety entities, whereas competitive solutions are simply not subject to the same rigorous levels of accountability and federal oversight.
AT&T has indicated FirstNet will take a tempered approach before considering delivering 5G slicing capabilities to ensure slicing is thoroughly tested, matured, and optimized for real world public safety use cases. As a nationwide network, FirstNet currently provides public safety grade features across the ‘full interstate’ versus simply a slice (or single lane) of a commercial network. More specifically, First Priority® delivers always-on priority and preemption across Band 14 spectrum and all of AT&T 5G and LTE commercial spectrum bands with a range of priority levels.
Looking ahead, the FirstNet Authority has committed more than $8 billion in R&D over the next decade to grow mission-critical services, expand coverage, and facilitate FirstNet migration to 5G and 6G technology – all based on the public safety communities’ feedback. As part of a 10-year investment initiative, AT&T is dedicating these investments to uphold and advance FirstNet capabilities, which includes plans to aggressively build out new FirstNet-specific cell sites nationwide based on public safety factors and network considerations, as well as launch 1,000 sites set for completion by the end of this year, which will further improve Band 14 coverage.iv
To explore growth opportunities in the Next Generation Wireless Network space, connect with Frost & Sullivan VP Brent Iadarola.
For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world -renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, megatrends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success.
i Frost & Sullivan: Next Generation 911 (2024 Edition)
ii FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
iii Frost & Sullivan: 5G Open and Virtual RAN Market, Global, 2024–2028
