Connectivity: The essential framework for government transformation

Every section of government has a responsibility to provide consistent services and keep citizens safe. Across Australia and New Zealand, government workers often deal with the unpredictability of whether a wired link is available or if it will be able to support the latest advancements in technology. In many instances, government departments are enabling the rapid rise of govtech with wireless broadband solutions.

Using LTE and 5G improves agility, flexibility, and resiliency in a variety of situations, including the following networking use cases.

Pop-Up Networks

For agencies and emergency services that are constantly on the move, it is critical to have a network that is secure and reliable but also easy to deploy quickly.

Pop-up LTE solutions enable on-demand, instantly deployed wireless connectivity for a variety of operations ranging from pandemic testing clinics to maintenance of an aircraft. By using cellular broadband, government workers complete the job anytime without relying on another organisation’s network.

Remote Work from Anywhere

For government employees with high-bandwidth technology needs at home during the pandemic, providing cloud-managed LTE routers for remote work enables a dedicated network — isolated from the user’s home network — that the IT team can centrally control without on-site intervention. The agency can monitor and control network connection performance and information security while staff members focus on completing their work.

Disaster Response Kits

With no time to waste during any type of emergency, there is an urgent need for Internet connectivity to ensure life-saving work can start immediately. Disaster response kits with built in LTE provide a flexible and on-the-go network within a ruggedised case that is easy to transport and can be used within the most austere environment.

Smart Bases

Military bases are becoming more advanced. Base commanders are looking to create operational efficiencies while also reducing costs without sacrificing mission readiness. Deploying Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications requires network solutions that seamlessly connect numerous things and that can be easily managed by IT staff working anywhere.

In examples like monitoring fuel distribution locations, connecting surveillance, security equipment and drones; using 4G LTE as the primary link instead of wired broadband allows for high availability and low latency for these constantly evolving technologies where a wired broadband connection may not exist. This helps avoid large amounts of downtime and costs.

Mobile Command Centres

For first responders, a fast response time is critical to saving lives, preventing a fire from raging out of control, or delivering emergency medical assistance. Any interruption in connectivity that delays critical information from getting where it is needed can put first responders, the public, and property at risk.

Technology that can help emergency services agencies secure and access data has grown in sophistication. There has been an expanding variety of emergency services applications of cellular connectivity in the field. Fire vehicle telemetry measures the volume of water a particular fire engine holds, and sensors on hoses that measure the volume of water passing through the hose over time, therefore enabling planning ahead and continuous effort where it’s needed. Another example is the use of IP cameras for live video streaming from the front lines of natural disasters. Emergency services can assess how to ensure safety for personnel and what resources may be required at a particular site or incident. In the police environment, bodycams and holster sensors help protect officers as well as citizens.

Reliable connectivity is essential for emergency services agencies. Without a reliable and secure LTE and 5G network, emergency services won’t be able to take advantage of the connected technologies available to make their jobs more effective and efficient.

Smart Cities

The definition of “Smart City” is broad, from roadways with sensors embedded in the ground and connected equipment for emergency services like police departments, to connectivity in schools and healthcare. While ‘smart cities’ covers a vast number of applications, the benefits of these technologies are easily seen to increase operational efficiency for governments — much of which is based on actionable IoT data — and improved services and quality of life for citizens.

Governments in other regions are already using 4G LTE and 5G to provide the reliability, visibility, and flexibility necessary to keep smart city edge technologies connected to agency networks at all times.

Some examples of wireless connectivity in a smart city context:

• Schools — Whether on campus or on the bus, students are benefitting from LTE solutions that provide constant access to WiFi and to the swiftly expanding number of online education apps that are part of their day-to-day learning.
• Video Surveillance — With remote access to video surveillance, agencies can capture and analyse video footage to pinpoint and prevent theft, illegal dumping, and other suspicious activity. As 5G rolls out and evolves, live streaming of surveillance footage will become more common.
• Public Transit — Vehicle tracking, telematics, real-time route data for passengers, passenger WiFi, on-board IP surveillance, and digital ticketing are among the many connected technologies that can be used on today’s city buses. Transit fleet managers can also use cloud management tools to make firmware, configuration, and security updates without having to bring every vehicle to headquarters.

Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Service and wireless edge routers and adapters unlock the power of LTE and 5G to extend network access anywhere. Governments can depend on Cradlepoint’s wireless edge solutions in any environment, from military bases and disaster response to offices and remote work, Cradlepoint provides agencies with highly secure and reliable access to mission-critical information and applications.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Peera