GSN Digital Edition April 2016

was identified long ago in the aftermath
of September 11, 2001. In the
intervening fifteen years, tens of billions
of taxpayer dollars have been
spent on new radio digital radio
communications systems based on
the premise of improving interoperability,
but in reality these new
systems never delivered on their
primary mission, at least not in any
meaningful way.
In the United States, initiatives
such as FirstNet and the DHS Interoperable
Communications Act
represent earnest attempts to remedy
this persistent problem and are
positive steps in the right direction.
With FirstNet, congested commercial
mobile networks, like those experienced
in Brussels, would no longer
be needed. Instead, a dedicated
private public safety broadband
network similar to commercial mobile
networks will be available exclusively
to first responders. With
FirstNet, a broad range of new applications
and interactive services
will furnish first responders with
cutting edge capabilities in the field
that vastly exceed the limited voice
communications now provided by
legacy radio communications systems.
Still, more must be done –
and can be done now without much
heavy lifting or cost. Proven, commercially
available solutions for
communications interoperability
are at our disposal. DHS maintains
a list of Qualified Anti-Terrorism
Technologies (QUATTs), which
have already undergone a rigorous
review and testing process under
the SAFETY Act (Support Antiterrorism
by Fostering Effective
Technology). Furthermore, DHS
certifies a list of “Approved Products
for Homeland Security,” which are
ready to be deployed in defense of
our homeland, but remain inexplicably
underutilized. These technol-
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