One of America’s leading telecommunications companies unveiled its latest technology equipment to support government and corporate operations in Washington DC on September 17th.
Verizon Business, a division of Basking Ridge, N.J.-based Verizon Communications, hosted a day of business innovation sessions at Capital One Arena in the Northwest.
The court at Capital One Arena, where sports teams such as the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals play, was packed with the latest technology developed by Verizon Business to assist customers, both businesses and public institutions, in emergencies and during work.
“We have the capability to deploy equipment in an emergency,” said Jason Mitchell, deputy director of logistics and innovation for Verizon’s Frontline Crisis Response Team, who has been with the company for 14 years and previously worked in law enforcement.
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Verizon Business offers a variety of products that can assist governments and private organizations during natural disasters like floods, wildfires, earthquakes, storms, etc. On the tour of products and tech gadgets, the first one mentioned was SPOT (officially known as Satellite Picocell on Trailer).
SPOT consisted of a trailer with a medium-sized white satellite dish on top and a small room inside with a first aid kit and technological tools such as a television screen and keyboard.
“SPOT is a great tool to use when there’s no radio coverage,” Mitchell said, noting that natural disasters often mean people have difficulty accessing the internet. “Satellite antennas allow us to communicate outside of the emergency area and get help to those in need.”
Following SPOT is OXEN (Off Grid Cross Communications Emergency Network), a ruggedized exterior trailer designed primarily for public agencies and customers, featuring the full range of Verizon Frontline technologies, including private cellular, mobile edge computing and wireless interoperability.
“We’ve used OXEN for large events like the Republican and Democratic conventions and, when necessary, the Super Bowl,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said OXEN gets its information from a computing cloud. He noted that OXEN has multiple units across the country, with one in each designated state and territory.
About 15 feet away stood a Verizon RRCU (Rapid Response Connectivity Unit), an innovative, deployable device that provides satellite backhaul when there is poor or no cell signal, or when a group needs it.
“RRCU can go places other technologies can’t go,” Mitchell said, noting that emergency responders typically use the tool in severe weather conditions.
“The RRCU can operate in weather like 4 below zero,” he said, “and at high altitudes, it works just fine.”
Mitchell introduced the ERICC (Emergency Response Incident Command Center), a van-like structure designed to provide support to clients (usually public agencies) during events. Mitchell said the ERICC is equipped with multiple backhaul capabilities, including GEO and LEO satellites.
ERICC can broadcast 5G, LTE, 5G private networks and Wi-Fi. Mitchell said ERICC could be a valuable tool for the U.S. Secret Service during the 2025 presidential inauguration and would be available if needed.
While most of these devices are the size of a minivan or a car, Mitchell introduced the TRIKKE, a motorcycle-like tool aimed primarily at emergency responders.
TRIKKE was designed to feature a remote phone/communications bank, act as a situational awareness hub and function as an on-scene command post. Mitchell said TRIKKE can connect to a variety of communication modes, including 5G, Wi-Fi and satellite.
Andrew Fusco, who works as a member of the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team, introduced the dog-shaped device, RED (Robotic Emergency Dog).
RED is an autonomous robot that leverages private 5G for communications and has machine learning, access to artificial intelligence, robotics and analytics capabilities.
“These dogs can go on any terrain,” Fusco said, noting they can function on virtually any terrain. “We have five or six of these dogs in use right now.”
