MSV’s SMART, Brings CritComm Aid To Emergency Situations

Mobile Satellite Ventures’ (MSV) announced today that more than 230 federal, state, and local government sites representing more than 24 new offices and regional locations have signed up for Satellite Mutual Aid Radio Talkgroups (SMART) since the inception of the program in August of 2007. SMART groups, functioning throughout North America, operate on the MSV satellite communications network. These talkgroups enable critical and interoperable communications among homeland security officials, law enforcement, emergency responders, and public safety officials from various departments and agencies across the United States.




The private mode SMART talkgroup offering allows for interstate and interagency, one-to-one, push-to-talk operations with all of the other units that have subscribed to the talkgroup. Additionally, the SMART standard broadcast feature employs one-to-many, push-to-talk satellite technology and provides a way for any member of the group to quickly communicate a message to the entire talkgroup. In addition to the Department of Justice talkgroup, MSV recently announced the establishment of a five-state mutual aid talkgroup for the U.S. Gulf Coast Region serving Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Other multi-state regional SMART groups are currently in development around the nation—Reston, Virginia