Integrating public safety networks to 5G: applications and standards

This chapter summarizes a brief history of transition of Public Safety Networks from the analog system to future 5G networks. 3rd Generation Partnership Project presents different use cases and scenarios for Public Safety (PS) applications, mainly based on the coverage area of cellular networks. These scenarios are presented to support National Security and PS services using Device-to-Device (D2D) communications in next-generation cellular networks. These scenarios can be categorized into three distinct types: in-coverage scenario, out-of-coverage scenario, and partial-coverage scenario. It is important to note that the scenarios presented in this section are for D2D communications only. The chapter then summarizes standardization efforts made to support an inevitable convergence of PS communication networks across multiple regions. Further, it anticipates that this convergence will not be limited to narrowband and broadband technologies but will also be influenced by recent trends on how people access information today.