2026 Agenda

Public Safety organizations face a communications paradox: legacy LMR systems provide proven reliability, while Broadband promises transformative communications capabilities—but the gap between them creates operational silos and security risks. This session reveals how private deployable broadband networks can serve as an essential bridge, enabling seamless interoperability without forcing disruptive

rip-and-replace decisions.

Drawing from real-world hardware Quality of Experience testing in the NIST CTL innovation lab, we'll demonstrate how private Broadband architectures can be integrated with existing LMR systems by leveraging recently standardized 3GPP-IWF protocol links. We will continue to cover practical implementation strategies, including selective deployment approaches that reduce risk while delivering immediate value.

In closing we will look forward to exciting certification options coming to the MCx ecosystem through GCF-IWF working group, discussing future work yet to come under the continued NIST research agreement, and more.

Takeaway

• Learn proven interoperability strategies that connect any LMR system with 5G networks using standards-based NIST/ISSI bridges without replacing existing infrastructure
• Understand how standards-based architectures enable advanced AI tools like network observability for enhanced operational awareness and proactive management
• Discover phased deployment approaches for private networks that minimize risk while maximizing ROI through selective coverage of high-priority assets
• Gain practical implementation insights from real-world case studies spanning utilities, mining, and public safety operations