Solacom selected for Maine's new state-wide NG9-1-1 network

Chicago, IL, June 17, 2013 — Solacom Technologies has been chosen by service provider FairPoint Communications to implement, support and supply equipment for a next generation 9-1-1 solution for Maine’s new state-wide public safety network. The system will serve more than 1,300,000 residents – making it one of the largest ESInets (emergency services IP networks) in the country in terms of population coverage. This follows an announcement last December that the State of Maine had awarded FairPoint Communications a 5-year contract worth $32 million to provide the state’s next generation 9-1-1 solution.

Solacom will provide many core elements of the new network, including:

  • Emergency Services Routing Proxy (ESRP)
  • Legacy Network Gateway (LNG)
  • Border Control Function (BCF)
  • Automatic Location Identification / Location Information Server (ALI/LIS)
  • Guardian Intelligent 9-1-1 Workstations (IWS)
  • and a network operations center (NOC) to monitor the health, efficiency and quality of service (QoS) of the public safety network.

The Solacom system will also seamlessly integrate GeoComm’s Emergency Call Routing Function (ECRF) and mapping solution to accurately determine the caller location in order to dispatch the fastest response.

It will be one of the first state-wide implementation of an ESInet based upon the architecture, protocols and standards set forth by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). The move from circuit-switched telecommunications to packet-based IP technology will be the foundation to enable communicating with 9-1-1 centers in Maine by such means as texting, sending photos or videos.

The new system will provide an unprecedented level of redundancy, including geo-diversity. “There will be multiple levels of redundancy built into the Solacom system to ensure a robust network capable of withstanding natural disasters and emergency events,” said Tony Parrott, Solacom vice president of sales.

The 26 public safety answering points throughout the state, and one training center, will all receive new Solacom Guardian Intelligent Workstations (IWS) that equip telecommunicators with state-of-the-art IP desktops for responding to 9-1-1 calls. Workstations will include mapping software to display the location of the emergency calls. Guardian IWS provides additional call control functionality not seen before in any public safety desktop; for example, operators have complete control of each participant of the call allowing them to create private conversations or join two separate calls together dynamically allowing parties who call into the system on separate lines to communicate real-time, regardless of where the callers are located in the state. In addition, the Guardian IWS desktops are designed to be future proof so that next generation capabilities, such as text messaging services, can be added.

“We are very excited and committed to work closely with FairPoint, GeoComm and the State of Maine to build a next generation 9-1-1 network of this scale to better serve every citizen and community in the state,” said Jocelyn Racine, Solacom CEO.

About Solacom
Solacom Technologies builds some of the world’s most reliable critical communications systems that integrate Voice, Video and Data to deliver advanced IP-based interoperability solutions for public safety 9-1-1, military command, security and other mission critical applications. With a legacy of innovation in air traffic control and public safety, our engineers have pioneered many industry advances over the past 25 years.

Media Contact:
Robert Cassidy
Solacom – Manager Marketing & Communications
Phone 613-693-0641 x370