One of America’s leading telecommunications companies presented its latest technological instruments to assist governments and businesses in their operations on Sept. 17 in the District.
Verizon Business, a division of Verizon Communications based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, hosted its one-day Business Innovation Session at the Capital One Arena in Northwest.
The court of Capital One Arena — where sports teams such as the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals play – was filled with the latest technology that Verizon Business has created to help its customers, whether corporate or public agencies, in situations of emergency or during the operations.
“We have the ability to deploy our equipment during emergencies,” said Jason Mitchell, the associate director of the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team, Logistics & Innovation. Mitchell is a 14-year employee of the company who has had previous experience in law enforcement.
The Technology
Verizon Business has an array of products that can aid governments and private entities in case of a natural emergency such as a flood, wildfire, earthquake or storms. In a tour of the products, technological gadgets, the first on the list was SPOT, formally known as Satellite Picocell on Trailer.
SPOT consisted of a trailer with a white medium-sized satellite dish on the top and in it a small room with a first-aid kit and technological tools such as television screens and a keyboard.
“SPOT is an excellent tool to use when wireless coverage is not available,” said Mitchell, who noted that when natural disasters occur, it is often difficult for people to have access to the Internet. “The satellite dish allows us to communicate outside of the emergency area to get help for people who need it.”
Next to SPOT was OXEN (Off Grid Cross Communications Emergency Network). OXEN is a trailer with a rugged exterior that is built primarily for public sector agencies and customers that has the full range of Verizon Frontline technology, including private cellular, mobile edge computing and radio interoperability.
“We have used OXEN for such large-scale events such as the Republican and Democratic conventions and if needed, the Super Bowl,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell said OXEN gets its source from a computing cloud. He noted there are several OXEN units throughout the country, with one in designated states and regions.
About 15 feet away stood the Verizon RRCU (Rapid Response Connectivity Unit), an innovative deployable piece of equipment that provides satellite backhaul in situations where cellular coverage is bad, nonexistent or required in a group situation.
“RRCU can go places where the other technology can’t,” said Mitchell. He noted that first responders use this tool in usually tough weather conditions.
“RRCU can run in weather like four degrees below zero,” he said. “It can also operate in high altitudes well.”
Mitchell presented ERICC (Emergency Response Incident Command Center), a van-like structure that is designed to provide support for a client, usually a public agency, during an event. ERICC is outfitted with multiple backhaul capacities including GEO and LEO satellites, he said.
ERICC can broadcast 5G, LTE, 5G Private networks and Wi-Fi. Mitchell said ERICC could be a valuable tool for the U.S. Secret Service for the 2025 presidential inauguration and is available if needed.
While most of the gadgets tend to be the size of a minivan or automobile, Mitchell showed TRIKKE, a motor bike-like tool primarily for first responders.
TRIKKE was designed to provide an on-the-scene command post, serving as a hub for situational awareness equipped with remote phone/communication bank. Mitchell said TRIKKE has connections to various telecommunication modes such as 5G, Wi-Fi and satellites.
Andrew Fusco works as a member of the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team. Fusco presented RED (Robotic Emergency Dog), a device in the shape of a canine.
RED is an autonomous robot that utilizes Private 5G for communications and has the capacity to exhibit machine learning, access to artificial intelligence and armed with robotics and analytics.
“These dogs can go on any type of grounds,” said Fusco, noting that it can function in practically all geographical terrains. “We have about five or six of these in use.”