Cisco to announce new system for emergy services

SAN FRANCISCO -- Cisco Systems plans to announce on today a new method -- based on a widely used Internet telephone standard -- for marrying the frequently incompatible radio gear used by emergency services agencies and businesses.

The approach is aimed at connecting the diverse array of push-to- talk radio systems with other voice and data systems without the expense of replacing the existing systems.

Cisco executives said the method, based on existing network routers, could be used in the transportation, finance and retail industries as well as at public safety agencies.

The system, a set of software programs and hardware interfaces that connect with existing radio networks, will probably prove most immediately useful in emergencies.

"In emergency situations, you have a variety of public agencies involved, and they have incompatible radio systems," said Charles H. Giancarlo, Cisco's chief development officer.

For instance, while fire and police radio systems are not normally interoperable, the Cisco method would connect them. Indeed, communication problems between the fire and police departments in New York proved to be a major problem on Sept. 11, 2001, according to the commission that investigated the events that day.

The new approach is known as Internet Protocol Interoperability and Collaboration Systems, or Ipics, and it essentially converts voice traffic on radios and cell phones into data traffic over existing networks.

Trials of the system are being conducted in the United States and abroad. It will be available commercially in six to 12 months.

Although Cisco has focused on commercial and civilian government markets, one analyst said the largest market for the technology would ultimately be the military.

"From a pure military standpoint, it would be a big asset," said Bradley J. Curran, a military communications analyst at Frost & Sullivan, a business consulting firm in San Antonio. "Ultimately there will be more money in military markets for this kind of application."

Cisco executives said significant savings could result from taking an Internet-based approach instead of replacing equipment.

"The conventional wisdom in the radio industry is to replace systems," Giancarlo said. He estimated that such an effort nationwide might cost government agencies more than $30 billion. Ipics could be deployed for about one-tenth the cost, he said.

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