Verizon Announces Strategic Agreement with Mutualink

Saying that it is taking a step in the direction of providing comprehensive interoperability for public safety, Verizon recently announced that it has teamed up with Mutualink to provide interoperable critical communications solutions with the goal of helping first responders and related entities to securely connect networks to communicate and share real time video and critical information.

Mutualink is a service, reportedly compatible with virtually any device and network, based on a software-centric model that removes hardware dependencies, allowing connections between smartphones, video cameras, land mobile radios (LMRs), etc.

“In times of emergency and crisis, it is important for everyone – first responders from different agencies, schools, hospitals and others – to have real time, on demand cross-agency communications. Mutualink allows Verizon to provide that level of communication to our customers,” said Mike Maiorana, SVP, public sector, Verizon. “Working with Mutualink further illustrates Verizon’s commitment to interoperability.”

According to Mark Hatten, Mutualink’s chief executive officer/chairman, the strategic agreement is a significant step towards solving the nation’s emergency communications interoperability challenges.

“We live in a complex and interdependent society where the ability for agencies to communicate and collaborate on-demand in a crisis, whether large or small, is critical,” said Hatten. “This agreement demonstrates Verizon’s commitment to helping deliver what first responders have been asking for – true interoperability for almost any device on any network.”