Communications Survey
Reliability reigns, mobility evolves
Commissioned by Verizon Frontline, Lexipol recently surveyed 1,896 public safety professionals, including first responders from fire and police departments, emergency medical services and emergency management agencies, as well as representatives from public safety answering points and emergency call centers. The survey covered public safety communications technology, emergency preparedness and anticipated technology adoption, both now and five years from now.
Communications Survey results revealed
As with last year’s survey, network reliability is the primary concern of public safety agencies and first responders in the field and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. Another insight gleaned from the survey is the changing nature of mobility. Even as daily smartphone usage for professional communications continues, first responders are looking to take advantage of other technologies, including tablets, internet-connected vehicles and robots, in carrying out their daily responsibilities. 5G connectivity is only expected to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and applications.
Reliability still reigns
Network reliability was the most important factor last year and will likely continue to be the most important factor for the foreseeable future.
51%
of survey respondents
cited a reliable and resilient network as the most important factor in their day-to-day professional communications
48%
of first responders
said reliability and speed were the most important factors when considering a public safety communications provider
39%
of respondents
cited network reliability and speed as the most important consideration to be when choosing a network provider in the next five years
67%
of first responders
said that an unreliable network was among their top three concerns with regard to public safety communications technology
72%
of respondents
stated that a reliable and resilient network was one of the most crucial considerations during emergencies
43%
felt unprepared for cyberattacks
20% felt unprepared for cyberattacks. 23% felt somewhat unprepared for cyberattacks
Mobility is evolving
The survey revealed that the devices most used on a daily basis today won’t be the same devices being used on a daily basis in five years while some of the least used devices today seem poised for a dramatic rise in use over the next five years.
88%
of respondents
said they used smartphones on a daily basis, which is down from 92% last year. Only 84% believed they would use smartphones on a daily basis five years from now
80%
of first responders
said they used land mobile radios (LMRs) daily—down from 89% last year—with only 69% saying they expected to use LMRs daily in five years’ time
23%
of respondents
anticipated using AR/VR daily in five years, up from only 5% today
43%
of respondents
expect to use robots and drones daily in five years, up from only 13% today
62%
of respondents
believe they will use internet-connected vehicles on a daily basis in five years, up from 43% today
5G is a must-have
As 5G networks continue to grow, so does awareness of 5G capabilities among first responders. More and more, first responders see 5G technology as critical to the future of public safety.
23%
of first responders
view 5G as a top priority, up from 18% last year
54%
of respondents
said they considered 5G an important priority
65%
of first responders
want a stronger connection in the field
