4 Reasons Why First Responders Adopt Cellular Networking
By Julie McDanielVice President Marketing
March 3, 2025
Robust connectivity is a necessity for those involved in emergency response where just seconds can determine life or death outcomes. This is why police, fire departments, and other public-sector agencies adopt cellular networking.
4G LTE and 5G cellular networking offer rapid deployment of reliable, high-speed wireless network connectivity that is interoperable with other systems. With cellular networking public safety professionals have access to the tools they need to do their jobs better.
1. Reliability
Cellular networking technology incorporates sophisticated data encoding and modulation methods to enable reliable data transmission in areas with high signal interference or physical obstructions. This means that public safety teams can maintain clear, effective communication channels in densely built-up areas or challenging rural locations.
Industrial cellular routers — a fundamental component in cellular network connectivity — optimize public safety communications through features that yield high availability and consistent performance. Dual SIM slots, for example, enable seamless network redundancy, allowing automatic failover to an alternate carrier should the primary network become unavailable due to disruptions or poor coverage.
This transition is managed autonomously by integrated network monitoring systems that detect connectivity issues and, in response, trigger the switch — ensuring reliable, uninterrupted service. The reliability of these devices is measured in terms of Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), with high MTBF ratings indicating fewer failures over lengthy operational periods.
Additionally, these routers can withstand severe environmental conditions, adhering to MIL-STD for shock and vibration and IP standards for dust and water resistance. And, they operate effectively across temperatures from -40°C to 70°C, making them suitable for first responder vehicle deployments.
2. Remote Management
4G LTE and 5G enable the remote management and monitoring of equipment, which is especially useful for public safety operations that often have assets spread across different locations. Network administrators can change device settings remotely, without needing to touch the hardware.
Centralized network control makes it easier to change settings or update software across many devices at once. Built-in diagnostic and troubleshooting tools also help spot network problems early and fix them quickly, keeping the network reliable and reducing costly downtime.
Remote monitoring also extends to network security management, allowing administrators to adjust security protocols and respond to threats as they happen. For example, during a cyberattack on municipal emergency services, network administrators can quickly identify the location of the intrusion using real-time monitoring tools. They can then apply targeted security patches to compromised devices, deactivate affected communication channels, and activate enhanced encryption protocols, among other measures — all remotely managed.
3. Rapid Deployment
4G LTE and 5G are game-changers for quickly deploying wireless wide-area networks (WWANs) using existing cell tower infrastructure. Because minimal extra hardware is needed, expanding network coverage capable of transmitting large data volumes is fast and cost-effective.
It is critical to choose a full-featured industrial cellular router that is designed with maximum operational flexibility for immediate operational readiness in both established and impromptu mobile command centers.
With the ability to establish and maintain cellular tower connectivity at up to 224mi/360km per hour, first responders have reliable always-on broadband communications, location tracking, and remote monitoring of in-vehicle telemetry, sensors, surveillance cameras, ticketing, and other connected devices for data transmission to the cloud or headquarters over the cellular network.
4. Public Safety Bands
Specific cellular bands have been reserved for first responder use, such as FirstNet’s 700MHz Band 14 spectrum in the USA, to provide public safety agencies with a technology upgrade for better access to critical information. A key benefit is that it gives public safety entities priority during network congestion and provides a means for these organizations to communicate with each other.
Choosing a router like Perle's IRG5500+ FN LTE routers that operate on a variety of public safety bands, as well as contain comprehensive protocol support and advanced network management features, ensures compatibility with both current and evolving network infrastructures.
Trust Perle to deliver advanced cellular connectivity. With us, there are no subscription fees, giving you access to next-gen technology without financial unpredictability. Learn how Perle's industrial cellular routers contribute to a reliable, manageable, and versatile public safety communications infrastructure.
