New CEO Jeff Robertson optimistic about Airbus DS Communications’ role in next-gen 911

With its VESTA NEXT platform, Airbus DS Communications can fill a network void left in the industry as key carrier providers like Verizon exit the 911 space, Robertson said.

Assuming such a role will not be easy, as the move to NG911 promises to support new modes of communications—data, photos and video, as well as traditional voice—and new challenges in the areas of technology, reliability, operations and especially security, Robertson said.

“The traditional 911 network was a separate, traditional voice telecom network, so it wasn’t subject to some of these new approaches to hacking,” Robertson said. “We take it pretty seriously at Airbus, and we have some of the best.

“Exactly how we’re going to [provide security services], I don’t that it’s been defined yet, but we know how important it is—once we connect these IP networks and 911 centers—to be able to address it.

“The challenge I see in our industry is that many of the PSAPs we serve—if you do a quick security analysis of the current infrastructure that they’ve got—we need to look right down at the local level, and I think that many of our customers need a little help or assistance to guide them with this. We’d love to be able to offer that as Airbus.”

Airbus DS Communication can serve a similar role in other aspects of the 911 environment as PSAPs transition to NG911, Robertson said.

“I’m extremely excited about the 911 market,” he said. “I think people are a little scared about changing to next-gen 911. Everybody’s a little fearful of it, but we want to be able to sort of hold their hand and show PSAPs across the nation, ‘Here’s a way to do it, step by step—there’s no rush.’ You can do them in an orderly fashion, and the benefits in the end are tremendous.

“I also see shift from, in many cases, a lot of the phone companies are sort of backing away from the industry, and they need more direct hand holding from us. We’re looking forward to engaging with our customers in their future plans.”

Such interactions with 911 customers not only are good financially for Airbus DS Communications, but the relationships represent some of the best perks of working in the public-safety-communications space, Robertson said.

“It’s a good business, but I also think it’s a business that’s extremely rewarding in terms of what we do,” Robertson said. “It’s not just technology; we’re actually impacting people’s lives—that’s why we’re all here at Airbus. Every time I talk to an employee, that’s the number-one thing they bring up”