How FirstNet Fusion Advances LMR & Broadband Interoperability

FirstNet is the only nationwide wireless broadband network built with and for first responders. Its FirstNet Fusion platform connects traditional radio systems with broadband communications, including responders using other wireless carriers.

In many cases, these first responders are relying on modern smartphones and tablets for their communications rather than traditional land mobile radios (LMRs). But LMRs still serve a vital purpose, which is why FirstNet has created FirstNet Fusion. It bridges the gap between LMR and wireless broadband devices, creating true cross-platform interoperability. 

What Is FirstNet Fusion?

FirstNet Fusion is a mission-critical communications platform that connects teams across virtually any LMR system and U.S. wireless carrier, bringing them together through the Fusion platform. In doing so, FirstNet Fusion delivers true interoperability for first responders across the nation. It also provides them with push-to-talk (PTT) capabilities, 9-1-1 dispatch integration, and cross-platform talkgroups.

“Fusion is the next step in the FirstNet experience,” said Chief Lindsay Stromgren of the Amherst, Massachusetts Fire Department. His department served as a beta tester for the new platform and is currently transitioning its town’s public safety agencies to the system. “It’s enhancing the push-to-talk experience, but it’s also adding many other services and functionality.”

How FirstNet Fusion Connects LMR and Broadband

In the past, public safety agencies achieved interoperability physically by buying expensive tri-band LMRs or manually patching different radio frequencies together using some form of bridging device.

Today, FirstNet Fusion solves the interoperability problem through a combination of hardware and a software-driven gateway known as Fusion Link.

Fusion Link Connects Existing LMR Systems

LMR communications use physical two-way radios that broadcast voice over radio frequencies. Wireless broadband networks like FirstNet use smartphones that send voice, video, and data over cellular networks as digital data packets. Clearly, these two systems speak in two different languages. That is why they need a translator, and that is the role that Fusion Link plays.

“The integration of LMR and broadband is accomplished via Fusion Link gateways,” Chief Stromgren said. “At our fire department, we have gateways that physically connect our LMR radios into the FirstNet system so that any FirstNet device anywhere can access our LMR radios.”

Fusion Link connects existing LMR systems with Fusion’s broadband-based push-to-talk service, enabling communications between traditional radios and compatible broadband devices. Because it adheres to open standards like 3GPP and APCO P25, Fusion Link works with virtually any LMR system. It does not matter what brand of radio an agency uses. Their LMRs can speak to smartphones live over FirstNet.

“I can be in a dead spot in town, or I could be on the West Coast, and still get into my system if I needed to, as long as I have broadband cellular connectivity,” Chief Stromgren said.

MCPTT Extends Communications to Broadband Devices

FirstNet Fusion includes mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), allowing broadband users to communicate with users on connected LMR systems. It operates on the network’s secure backbone and takes advantage of FirstNet’s access to Band 14 and true priority and preemption capabilities that put first responders first on broadband wireless by providing always on capability with no manual activation. By connecting the FirstNet MCPTT service directly to LMR channels, first responders using smartphones have direct radio access to their LMR partners. 

“Marrying FirstNet to our LMR systems through the gateway gives us direct access to our primary police and fire channels,” Chief Stromgren said. “If you have an event with thousands of civilians, commercial cellular networks get bogged down and you have a hard time getting messages out. FirstNet gives first responders their own pathway so they always have connectivity. Connecting that to our LMR channels gives us the ability to access our traditional radios no matter where we are, or how congested regular cellular networks might be.”

Extending Interoperability Across Wireless Carriers

One of FirstNet Fusion’s big advantages is its ability to link users on other wireless broadband networks, subject to the limits of those non-FirstNet systems. This simplifies the process of mutual aid communications, allowing LMR users and cellular users from FirstNet and other commercial carriers to talk to each other easily.

“Fusion Link gives an incident commander the ability to connect people coming in from other communities who might be on other cellular networks,” Chief Stromgren said. “It gives me the ability, largely on the fly during an emergency, to give responders immediate access to our FirstNet portal and LMR gateways via a link or QR code. Responders from other towns just do a couple of steps on their phones, whether they’re on AT&T, FirstNet, or another carrier, and I can give them access to the exact same communications resources we have.”

Supporting Communications During Mutual Aid

Mutual aid is one of those situations where FirstNet Fusion truly shines. In place of fragmented communications between VHF, UHF, 800 MHz, and wireless broadband networks, FirstNet Fusion can connect these communications systems, helping agencies coordinate during mutual aid responses.

“FirstNet Fusion gives me the ability as an incident commander to tell mutual aid responders not to worry about what band I’m on or what band they’re on. You can take your cellular device and I can give you access into my FirstNet LMR system,” Chief Stromgren said. “Now you’re on my LMR channel, but it’s all being done in the background. You’re not worrying about what band or frequency it is; I’m just giving you direct access to my channel.”

Because it is an open platform, Fusion is designed to connect directly with external public safety software, including Axon’s Fusus situational awareness platform and Carbyne’s next-generation 9-1-1 call handling. Put it all together, and Fusion unifies nearly every communications tool a public safety agency relies on into a single operational picture.

Creating Talkgroups Across Agencies and Jurisdictions

Talkgroups are one of the most effective tools developed for LMR systems. FirstNet Fusion takes that capability further, offering a level of flexibility, customization, and adaptability to both LMR and broadband wireless users in a single, integrated environment.

To manage these responses, Fusion features a web-based dispatch console that allows incident commanders and dispatchers to establish talkgroups dynamically.

“It gives our admins the ability to set up talkgroups and channels ahead of time to build out the system the way we want, but it also gives us the ability to create new talkgroups on the fly for mutual aid,” Chief Stromgren said. “Because FirstNet Fusion is web-based, my dispatchers can open up a dispatch portal, or I can open it on my laptop in an Emergency Operation Center or out in the field at a command post. That gives you the ability to see, interact with, and manage all of your different talkgroups from a computer or laptop.”

FirstNet Fusion Goes Beyond Push-to-Talk

FirstNet Fusion’s ability to bring sophisticated push-to-talk to traditional LMR and broadband users is noteworthy, but the platform takes interoperability much further, expanding into data, video, and location tracking.

“Fusion comes with location services, so you can see where all of your personnel are in the field,” Chief Stromgren said. “It allows photo sharing, video streaming, secure messaging, and emergency alerts. It creates a whole suite of services to interact with responders, getting information to and from them to see what’s going on at the emergency scene.”

The Future of Public Safety Interoperability

For decades, public safety communications have been hindered by proprietary hardware, fragmented radio spectrum, and isolated networks that do not connect cleanly with wireless broadband. FirstNet Fusion tackles these problems head-on, turning interoperability into a standard that connects existing radio systems with compatible broadband devices across wireless carriers no matter the device, no matter the network.

“Public safety has been dealing with interoperability problems for as long as I’ve been in the fire service,” Chief Stromgren said. “The goal has always been simple: when an emergency happens, everyone responding needs to be able to talk to each other without having to jump through logistical hoops. By using software to connect our existing radios to the cellular world, we’re finally reaching a point where the technology works around the responder, rather than the responder having to work around the technology.”

The big takeaway from FirstNet Fusion is that departments do not have to choose between traditional LMR systems and wireless broadband. They can deploy both where each works best, bridging them together on a single platform to deliver true interoperability, not just within their own agency, but with mutual aid partners across the entire country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FirstNet Fusion?

FirstNet Fusion is an interoperable communications platform that connects LMR and wireless broadband users, not just on FirstNet, but across other commercial carriers as well.

What is Fusion Link?

Fusion Link is a wireless broadband-to-LMR gateway that bridges the two systems so smartphone traffic can go out over traditional two-way radio channels and vice versa.

Do agencies need to replace their existing land mobile radios?

No. FirstNet Fusion is designed to work directly with an agency’s existing LMR infrastructure, including VHF, UHF, and 800 MHz radios.

Does FirstNet Fusion work with other wireless broadband carriers?

Yes. Responders do not need to be on FirstNet to participate. FirstNet Fusion enables agencies to quickly and efficiently establish interoperable communications at the scene of an incident, when needed, allowing responding personnel to connect across different radio and broadband systems with minimal setup time.

How does FirstNet Fusion help incident commanders set up mutual aid communications quickly?

Incident commanders and dispatchers can create and manage talkgroups dynamically using a web-based console. When outside agencies arrive on scene, they can be given immediate access to the system simply through a shared link or scannable QR code.