Implementing a wireless network to establish or expand broadband communications services in emergency situations (health, weather, natural disaster related or other) can be a tricky endeavor.
Requirements include replacing the capacity lost in damaged networks and establishing new broadband connections to locations such as field hospitals in parks and temporary hospitals in large convention centers or even large ships docked in the harbor.
It’s not uncommon for these wireless networks to struggle to handle large amounts of data not the least of which is generated by cameras, temporary Wi-Fi hotspots, IoT-enabled medical equipment and increased services for first responders.
The result, often times, is a network that lags, or does not work at all.
While not being able to quickly access emails or social media posts can be annoying to a general consumer, wireless connectivity becomes critical when police and fire departments, security personnel and medical professionals need access to many types of data, video, images and more in in real-time.
When Broadband Connectivity and Emergency Response are Mission Critical
Establishing broadband communications in these situations can be a challenge, especially if access to fiber is limited.
Because laying down new fiber would be time and probably cost prohibitive, a temporary wireless network has long been the answer to that problem and is being implemented today for “pop up” medical facilities.
More and more wireless broadband, often at Gigabit speeds, comes courtesy of millimeter wave (mmWave) networks (especially those operating at 60 GHz and above), which provide fiber quality and reliable communications without interference, unlike lower, legacy band wireless spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz), which is open and often times over saturated with traffic.
(Learn More. Siklu provides mmWave connectivity to extend your smart city fiber on time and on budget, leveraging narrow beams which are immune to heavy Wi-Fi signals and provide secure, high capacity and virtually interference free wireless connectivity. Courtesy of Siklu and YouTube.)
mmWave wireless technology performs well as it uses narrow beams which are basically immune to radio interference and network jamming and feature high security as well.
This stands in contrast to wide-beam wireless systems that need to use multiple coding and frequency hopping strategies to perform in dense areas.
Latency in a wireless network operating in a congested area also becomes a problem, for instance, when surveillance systems operating in 5 GHz spectrum must compete with multiple wireless devices to send large volumes of data.
Furthermore, mmWave systems and their narrow beams offer more flexible connection options.
For instance, oftentimes a deployment scenario needs multiple connections in a star topology.
Emergency response networks can be set up in a relatively short time using point to multipoint systems with built-in “beam steering,” which greatly reduces the engineering requirements as the Terminal Unit in a field hospital, for instance, only needs to be pointed in the general direction of the Base Unit.
A great example of establishing a Gigabit wireless access network in emergency COVID-19 conditions comes from Skywire Networks in New York City, the business division of Xchange Telecom.
Skywire, who specializes in providing broadband wireless connections to residences and enterprises in “digital desert” areas, recently installed a 1 Gbit 60 GHz link in Brooklyn in less than 12 hours for a major healthcare institution serving the NYC area.
Established on behalf of one of Skywire’s carrier partners, the link spans ½ mile and is now providing critical Internet and telecommunications (or data communications) services for a major healthcare facility in NYC.
Further, this link was achieved in highly congested conditions – in terms of the density of buildings in the end point areas (at an average of 30 stories) and in terms of a crowded and noisy radio transmissions environment.
This new Gigabit communications channel will remain in operation for as long as necessary and then can be taken down, reconfigured or redeployed, depending on future requirements.
This illustrates how a Gigabit wireless network can be installed in a matter of hours and dismantled in a relatively short period of time, if needed, saving time and money on the overall cost of the project.
In general, whether it is for a temporary event or permanent project, trenching fiber in a city environment, for example, can be cost prohibitive.
Flexibility to Expand the Network
Further, depending on how the emergency situation unfolds, a temporary network provides integrators and end users with greater flexibility over their fixed system counterparts.
Should additional capacity be required at a later date to connect more personnel and equipment, a mmWave network with multi-gigabit capacity allows for scalability without running into bandwidth issues.
In these uncertain times we don’t know where or what the next crisis or emergency that will unfold will hold for us.
What we do know is that there will be a critical need for reliable gigabit communication services, and mmWave solutions deliver.
Skywire partners with Siklu, an ‘ASTORS’ Champion, for its easy-to-deploy solutions to enable multi-gigabit broadband for commercial buildings in New York City.
Siklu, the Platinum Award Winner in the 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program for Best Wireless Broadband Solution, is uniquely qualified to bring immediate high-speed connection to densely populated cities like New York.
In fact Siklu’s MultiHaul™ millimeter wave wireless solution millimeter wave (mmWave) solutions were recently deployed to connect Battery Park and Liberty Park to Ellis Island and Liberty Island to provide high speed, secure and interference free connection to the mainland, while enhancing the safety and security of the Statue of Liberty.
Skywire Networks has lit more than 800 buildings and provides data services to thousands of business customers in NYC, in this highly congested, crowded and noisy radio transmissions environment, utilizing Siklu mmWave Wireless Solutions, and has most recently has extended its network to Northern Manhattan and Southern Bronx.
Siklu MultiHaul™ Advanced Features Include
Physically immune narrow beams provide reliable, virtually interference free operation
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AES encryption, TU/port isolation and 802.1x combine to secure the network
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Dynamically adjusts upload and download capacity to align throughput with demand, significantly enhancing the user experience
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cTUs – the industries smallest TU (Similar in size to a smart phone) available in multiple colors with the same range and throughput of larger units
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Simplified TU configuration with assigned name and auto-provisioning: BU stores configurations of TUs, uniquely identified by logical name such as location-id or circuit id
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Integrated managed PoE switch for straightforward connection and powering of multiple devices
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Easy street level and rooftop site acquisition and installation with a ½-liter slim and small radio
American Security Today (AST), is pleased to announce that Skywire and Siklu have each been nominated to compete in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, for Best COVID-19 Communications Solution.
(Learn More, courtesy of Siklu and YouTube.)
Skywire and Siklu Compete in 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
90% of ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners return to compete in the Annual ‘ASTORS‘ Homeland Security Awards Program, and 100% of ‘ASTORS’ Sponsors have returned year to year to reap the benefits of their participation in the industry’s largest and most comprehensive Annual Awards Program.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.
As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program surpassed expectations with a record number of nominations received from industry leaders and government agencies, and drew over 200 attendees to the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Banquet – an exclusive gourmet luncheon and networking opportunity which filled to capacity, before having to turn away late registrants.
The event featured an impassioned and compelling keynote address by William J. Bratton, former police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD) twice, the Boston Police Department (BPD), and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), as he walked attendees through 50 years of American policing history, the impacts on the communities, and the evolution of critical communication capabilities in our post 9/11 landscape.
Commissioner Bratton, one of the world’s most respected and trusted experts on risk and security issues and Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk a global advisory firm, was recognized as the ‘2019 ‘ASTORS’ Person of the Year’ for his Lifetime of Dedication and Extraordinary Leadership in Homeland Security and Public Safety.
Why the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?
American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
Over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
- United States Marine Corps
- The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
- United States Postal Inspection Service
- DHS S&T
- United States Marshals Service (USMS)
- The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Police (PAPD)
- The Department of Justice (DOJ)
- The New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (NYS DHSES)
- United States Border Patrol
- AlertMedia, Ameristar Perimeter Security, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Bellevue University, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., CornellCookson, Drone Aviation, FLIR Systems, Hanwha Techwin, HID Global, IPVideo Corp., Konica Minolta Business Solutions, LenelS2, ManTech, Regroup Mass Notifications, SafeLogic, SolarWinds, Senstar, ShotSpotter, Smiths Detection, TCOM LP, Trackforce, Verint, and More!
From innovative Military Cyber Programs, to Local, State and Federal Public Safety and Emergency Management Initiatives, New Physical and IT Products and Services, and Security Professional, Threat Assessment, Emergency Preparedness, Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Education and Training Opportunities – Join your ‘ASTORS’ Award-Winning Peers and Receive the Recognition You Deserve!
Excellence in Public Safety and Government Security Award Nominations are also encouraged, such as those 2019 Honored Winners which includes the DEA, U.S. Marine Corps, DHS S&T, Federal Protective Service, DHS S&T NUSTL, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, The Port Authority of NY/NJ, and the NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services.
Individuals are also encouraged to be nominated for Government Excellence in Public Safety and Homeland Security such as last years widely respected recipients.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please go to the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Championship Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2019 ‘A Year in Review’.
The ‘ASTORS’ Champion Edition is published annually and includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.
It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2019 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitgate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
Siklu
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Best Wireless Broadband Solution
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Siklu Millimeter Wave Wireless Connectivity Radios
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Siklu millimeter wave wireless solutions for the physical security market, offer a full lineup of point-to-point MultiHaul™ and EtherHaul™ radios for street level and rooftop connectivity that delivers multi-gigabit throughput for municipal, government and commercial security networks.
Siklu delivers multi-gigabit fiber-like wireless connectivity in urban, suburban and rural areas.
Operating in the 60, 70/80GHz bands, its millimeter wave solutions are used by leading integrators, service providers, municipal authorities and mobile network operators worldwide.
(Learn More about Siklu’s New Point to Multipoint Solution – MultiHaul, a competitor in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program for Best COVID-19 Communications Solution. Courtesy of Siklu and YouTube.)
Thousands of carrier grade units delivering interference-free performance have been successfully deployed world-wide.
Easily installed on street-fixtures or rooftops, the price-competitive radios have proved to be ideal for networks requiring fast and simple deployment of secure, fiber-like and future-proof connectivity.
To Learn More, please visit www.siklu.com.
Skywire Networks, the business division of Xchange Telecom, is the only company delivering enterprise-class broadband and advanced telephone systems to businesses in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens where, until now, high-speed Internet has been unobtainable.
Their solution, Skywire HQ, gives small- to mid-sized businesses a complete, robust and affordable Business Connectivity Platform.
(Bringing broadband services to residential and business MDUs in and around New York City, Skywire Networks, a division of Xchange Telecom, is committed to eliminating ‘Digital Deserts’ with cutting-edge technologies, like Gfast. Courtesy of CalixNews and YouTube.)
Skywire HQ includes gigabit connection speeds, virtualized office telecom, and managed network services, and the company has become the much-needed communications department that most SMBs cannot afford, enabling them to leverage an enterprise-class communications infrastructure without having to manage it themselves.
For more information on the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program and advertising opportunities with American Security Today, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
