Why Agiosat for Public Safety?

Technology

Advanced Technological Solutions:
Agiosat has created a technological “sweet spot” with a state-of-the-art VSAT satellite communications system that is highly advanced, is widely deployed, and is used by a wide range of customers. The system supports IP protocols for voice, radio, data, and video for applications such as video-conferencing, security, and network interconnection. Some forward-thinking capabilities of the Agiosat system include the utilization of IP protocol, software upgradeable systems, downloaded updates, analog to digital interconnectivity, and on-demand bandwidth management.

Improve Spectrum Efficiency:
By creating an interoperable, integrated system, Agiosat is able to dramatically improve spectrum utilization. For example, RF spectrum is significantly reduced by utilizing the Agiosat network for backhauls from radio repeater sites, while also providing a diverse routing within the communication network. By utilizing Agiosat VSAT in a field-deployable mode, agencies can easily supplement their communication capacity with Agiosat BGAN systems as more responders are brought into action. Agiosat’s interoperable capabilities allow these portable systems to be deployed and activated on a very short notice.

Agiosat manages the efficiency of its own frequency spectrum as well. First, the Agiosat VSAT network has “on-demand” scalability; therefore, agencies can maintain minimum bandwidth levels, but in the case of a major event, scale the bandwidth up to levels exceeding multiple T-1 capabilities. Second, since the Agiosat network can cover an entire state, each county and/or a number of municipalities can share a common pool of bandwidth which can be expanded on-demand if required. Third, Agiosat BGAN is a measured service where (other than a small monthly service fee) users pay only for the bandwidth they use, and the phone calls they complete.

Cost-Effective Measures:
The Agiosat Network is extremely cost-effective. It utilizes industry accepted, widely deployed standards such as IP, in order to seamlessly integrate into most communication networks. Adhering to common standards also permits the inclusion of voice and video without any alteration to the Agiosat network.

The start-up costs for each site is also cost-effective. Initial costs range from under $3,500 for an Agiosat BGAN system, to under $35,000 for a full VSAT system with the weatherproof defi™ antenna, built to withstand sustained winds of 200 mph.

The Agiosat network has a wide coverage area, spanning all of the continental United States, Alaska, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. This creates a Wide Area Network (WAN) that can be accessed by any agency within a designated state. Because every user is on the same WAN, there is instant interoperability with any device on the network. For example, a state could sponsor a state-wide Agiosat network which would have bandwidth shared among the users within the state, thereby lowering the per-site network cost. Should more bandwidth be required to meet the needs of a specific event, the bandwidth can be increased upon demand.

All Hazards Mitigation

Improved Interoperable Communications in Areas of High Risk for Natural Disasters:
Agiosat truly excels, and has an enviable track record, in providing interoperable communication systems that overcome natural disasters. Satellite, by its very nature of having its communication “switch” 22,300 miles above the earth, creates an automatic barrier against natural and man-made disasters. Agiosat’s defi VSAT antenna system ensures that connectivity at the site is available before, during, and after the natural disaster. The unique design of the Agiosat defi system allows it to withstand continuous winds up to 200 mph while shielding the satellite antenna equipment from rain, dust and debris. There is also a heated version to eliminate the threat of antenna icing.

Agiosat VSAT is a fully-managed satellite communications system; therefore, it always operates at less than maximum power. The status of each VSAT site is constantly monitored by Agiosat’s teleport personnel. Should an event occur, such as a strong rain storm, Agiosat automatically increases the power to ensure a continuous signal strength.

Agiosat’s teleports in Atlanta and Los Angeles are redundant and interoperable to ensure continuous operation. Should one be affected by a natural or man-made event, the other takes over all operations.

Finally, Agiosat has a variety of portable satellite communication systems that can be stored in a safe location in preparation for a disaster, or can be shipped in from outside the region after a disaster. Whether it is an Agiosat auto-deploy VSAT system, or an Agiosat BGAN system, each can be quickly deployed and easily operated within minutes. These satellite communications systems are specifically designed and implemented by Agiosat to ensure no technical skills are required to make a them fully operational.

Improved Interoperability:
The Agiosat VSAT system is very compact, and can be mounted on command-and-control vehicles to replace a communication infrastructure that has been rendered inoperable or overloaded by an event. In addition, all systems on the Agiosat Network are interoperable with each other. If two units from different cities in a state, or even from different states, are responding to the same event, they are interoperable with no changes or reprogramming. Agiosat’s network also supports VPN and other network security tools, so information can be exchanged in a secure environment.

Finally, the Agiosat Network automatically supports single-hop-on-demand (SHOD). If multiple Agiosat units are attempting to communicate with each other, the system has the intelligence to permit a direct one-hop link between the units, rather than forcing the communication back to the teleport and then out to the other units. This ability not only improves the speed of the communication, but lowers the bandwidth requirement as well.