WBA enhances emergency services Wi-Fi comms in challenging environments | Computer Weekly

"The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has launched three reports providing a framework for how Wi-Fi and other wireless communication standards can facilitate and sustain emergency calling and priority communications around the world. WBA, a global industry body dedicated to driving the service experience of Wi-Fi across the global wireless ecosystem, says Wi-Fi has already proved a critical line of communications in emergency situations, such as Hurricane Katrina, when cell towers were affected."

"Developed by WBA's Mission Critical & Emergency Services Program, the papers are designed to provide a framework and practical advice to the emergency services, public safety organisations, mobile operators, device manufacturers and Wi-Fi providers. They explain how Wi-Fi extends traditional mobile services to enhance public safety responses, while also helping mobile operators manage the signal challenges of indoor spaces, densely populated public spaces, and weak or dead spots."

WBA launched three reports providing a framework for Wi‑Fi and other wireless standards to facilitate and sustain emergency calling and priority communications worldwide. Wi‑Fi functioned as a critical communications line during emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina when cell towers were affected. Wi‑Fi can be a lifeline in densely populated public spaces and indoor environments constrained by signal strength, connection density and bandwidth. The papers provide practical guidance for emergency services, public safety organisations, mobile operators, device manufacturers and Wi‑Fi providers. The guidance explains how Wi‑Fi extends traditional mobile services, helps manage indoor signal challenges, and enhances availability, reliability, and performance of communications among the public, first responders and emergency services. The reports also address delivering enhanced mission‑critical two‑way communications for emergency personnel in large operations like disaster recovery and crowd control.

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