Cradlepoint, a cloud-delivered 4G and 5G wireless network edge solutions, today announced, at the annual Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) show in Las Vegas, its MC400 Modem Module has received FirstNet Ready status and approval – joining FirstNet’s nationwide LTE ecosystem for first responder solutions.
The device certification is for a new version of Cradlepoint’s field-upgradeable MC400 Modem Module, a plug-in 4G LTE modem for compatible IBR and AER series router solutions. This modular approach enables Cradlepoint to deliver FirstNet Ready solutions – both to new as well as existing customers – that address a broad set of first responder connectivity challenges, including distributed sites, vehicles, mobile command centers, and an array of in-vehicle and in-the-field IoT devices such as sensors, cameras, drones and robots.
FirstNet is the nationwide communications platform dedicated to America’s public safety. It helps first responders connect to the critical information they need every day and in every emergency. Being built with AT&T, in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority, FirstNet is bringing public safety a long overdue and much-needed technology upgrade. It helps to improve first responders’ efficiency, safety and response times by enabling better field and inter-agency coordination using new connected devices and applications.
“We’re pleased to welcome Cradlepoint to the FirstNet ecosystem, giving first responders access to more trusted solutions that they can use on their network,” said Chris Sambar, SVP, AT&T-FirstNet. “Cradlepoint’s FirstNet Ready MC400 Modem Module will continue to expand first responders’ capabilities, improve their operational effectiveness and increase their situational awareness to help keep them safe.”
Over 2,000 public safety organizations, including first responders within 10 of the largest U.S. cities, rely on Cradlepoint 4G LTE network solutions to provide mission-critical connectivity and security for fixed site, vehicle, and IoT networks. By developing a new FirstNet Ready version of its plug-in, MC400 Modem Module, Cradlepoint brings FirstNet reliability and capabilities to new and existing first responder customers. All MC400-equipped IBR and AER series LTE routers support FirstNet’s critical functionality as well as public safety’s Band 14 spectrum. The certification process included hundreds of testing hours that cover a wide range of functional aspects, from security and durability to network impacts.
“FirstNet is a game-changer for LA County’s first responders and how we use connected technology to protect and serve our communities more effectively while improving the efficiency and safety of our men and women in uniform,” said Battalion Chief Kyle Zuniga, with LA-RICS. “To take full advantage of FirstNet’s priority, preemption and Band 14 capabilities across our operational area – from vehicles with cameras, sensors and computing devices to drones, robots, and surveillance systems, and even stations – we need a variety of FirstNet Ready router solutions for mobile, IoT and fixed site deployments.”
“Cradlepoint’s new FirstNet Ready MC400 Modular Modem provides us with a simple way to field-upgrade existing Cradlepoint solutions in our fleet to support FirstNet when we are ready. We also value the dual-modem capability that allows us to utilize FirstNet alongside other carrier connections,” said Battalion Chief Dale Rolfson, IT Manager with the Indianapolis Fire Department. “The Cradlepoint solutions have offered us the stability we’ve never had — and with NetCloud Manager, my team can manage and troubleshoot our mobile networks remotely — keeping our firefighters and vehicles always connected and ready for action.”
All Cradlepoint routers are part of the Cradlepoint NetCloud, which is designed to provide cloud-based management, edge routing, and security services, as well as SD-WAN functionality. NetCloud enables first responder organizations to deploy FirstNet concurrent with a second commercial LTE connection on any U.S. mobile network and then utilize SD-WAN to control the flow of applications between them. This approach provides maximum resiliency for critical applications. From a security perspective, unified edge security enables direct Internet access while protecting users and devices from Internet-borne threats, and NetCloud Perimeter provides secure device-to-cloud connectivity for sensors, cameras, drones, and other in-vehicle or in-the-field IoT devices that first responders depend on to perform their duties safely and efficiently.
Ken Briodagh is a writer and editor with more than a decade of experience under his belt. He is in love with technology and if he had his druthers would beta test everything from shoe phones to flying cars.Edited by
Ken Briodagh
