Solacom Technologies has completed deploying one of the first statewide implementations of a Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) network based upon the architecture, protocols and i3 standards set forth by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).

The cutover of the public safety answering point at the Town of York Police Department this month was the last of 26 public safety answering points throughout the state of Maine, plus a dedicated training center, to receive new Solacom Guardian Intelligent Workstations (IWS) that equip telecommunicators with state-of-the-art IP desktops for responding to 9-1-1 calls.

Installations began 10 months ago after Solacom was selected by service provider FairPoint Communications to implement, support and supply equipment for a next generation 9-1-1 solution for Maine’s new statewide public safety network. The next generation system is one of the largest ESInets in the country and includes multiple levels of redundancy to ensure a robust network capable of withstanding natural disasters and emergency events.

In addition to providing hosted 9-1-1 positions statewide, Solacom provides several other core elements of the new network, including:

• Emergency Services Routing Proxy (ESRP)
• Legacy Network Gateway (LNG)
• Border Control Function (BCF)
• Automatic Location Identification / Location Information Server (ALI/LIS)
• and a network operations center (NOC) that monitors the health, efficiency and quality of service (QoS) of the public safety network.

“Solacom was able to translate the customer’s issues and problems into a technical solution that we are all very proud of. The implementation was successful and on time thanks to the strong partnership between FairPoint Communications, the State of Maine and Solacom,” said Suzanne Larsen, Solacom chief operating officer.

All 9-1-1 call takers are equipped with new Guardian workstations that include mapping software to display the location of emergency calls. Guardian IWS provides additional call control functionality not seen before in any public safety desktop; for example, operators have complete control of each participant of the call allowing them to create private conversations or join two separate calls together dynamically allowing parties who call into the system on separate lines to communicate real-time, regardless of where the callers are located in the state. In addition, the Guardian IWS desktops are designed to be future proof so that next generation capabilities, such as text messaging services, can be added.

About Solacom

Solacom Technologies builds some of the world’s most reliable critical communications systems that integrate Voice, Video and Data to deliver advanced IP-based interoperability solutions for public safety 9-1-1, security and other mission critical applications. With a legacy of innovation in air traffic control and public safety, our engineers have pioneered many industry advances over the past 30 years. For more information visit www.solacom.com