JPS Interoperability Solutions announces integration of broadband in new offerings

JPS Interoperability Solutions also is announcing the integration of ESChat’s push-to-talk-over-cellular (PoC) with its ACU technology in a combined solution named JPS VIA.

“One of the important features that we also see is that broadband coverage is only getting better,” Kaluta said. “We are of the opinion that the land-mobile-radio [LMR] world—especially in the public-safety sector—is not going away. But, if an officer happens to be down in a parking garage or a building where their radio does not work, we put that same radio channel on their smart device; so, if they have broadband coverage, they have another way to communicate back to their radio system.

“We feel that’s extremely important, and there are many, many other opportunities where that scenario can play out—not only in public safety and the [military], but also in commercial-market areas, especially with the expenses that are associated with some of the subscriber units for land mobile radio when a smart device may be all that’s needed.”

ESChat President and CEO Josh Lober expressed optimism about his company’s relationship with JPS Interoperability Solutions.

“We are pleased to be partnered with JPS Interoperability Solutions,” Lober said in a prepared statement. “JPS is the most successful and distinguished name in LMR interoperability. The reason is simple—they make superior products.

“Extending the JPS product line to include push-to-talk over cellular continues this trend and provides their existing and new customers access to reliable next-generation technology. We look forward to continuing our work with JPS as they expand their product portfolio, which I’m confident will again raise the bar in the interoperability market.”

Although the new offerings being showcased at IWCE 2017 are focused on broadband voice, the company’s development roadmap includes plans to support photos and videos—likely within the next year, Kaluta said.

“I can assure you that we have included the processor capability for these product lines to do much, much more than the audio capability,” he said.

Scott echoed this sentiment.

“We are vetting some technologies that we see as very promising that can bring that next step to situational awareness into the mix,” Scott said. “Just like we chose to partner with a company that’s doing excellent push-to-talk-over cellular with seamless integration in ESChat, we are doing that same vetting process to ensure that the situational awareness is going to bring the same type of capability.

“I don’t believe we’re very far away from that.”