Verizon Frontline survey reveals 5G, network reliability among top priorities for first responders
- First responders prioritize network reliability and speed
- 5G viewed as a top priority by 23% of respondents
- 77% of first responders consider 5G important or a top priority
- 43% expect to use robots daily in five years
- Smartphones usage declining among first responders
- 43% feel unprepared for cyberattacks
What you need to know:
- 5G is a must-have: Almost a quarter of respondents (
23% ) said they view 5G as a top priority, up from18% last year. Another54% this year said it was an important priority. - Network reliability still reigns: Just as they did in last year’s survey, first responders revealed that network reliability and speed are still the most important considerations when selecting a communications provider, with almost half of respondents (
48% ) saying so. More than half (51% ) said a reliable and resilient network was most important to them in their day-to-day professional communications. - First responders demand a resilient network: Almost three-quarters of respondents (
72% ) said a reliable and resilient network was most crucial for emergency preparedness and response. Most first responders (74% ) believe their agency is either somewhat or very prepared for an emergency but only17% said they were very prepared.
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Frontline today revealed the findings of a survey of nearly 2,000 public safety professionals, including first responders from fire and police departments, emergency medical services and emergency management agencies as well as representatives from public safety answering points (PSAPs) and emergency call centers (ECCs).
Now in its third year, the Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey, commissioned by Verizon Frontline and conducted by Lexipol, asked respondents about their current and future technology use, emergency preparedness, and outlook on how 5G and advances in communications technology may impact their work in the field.
The findings underscore the value first responders place on network reliability, the evolution of mobility, and the increasing impact of 5G.
Reliability still reigns
Network reliability remains the chief priority for first responders. More than half of survey respondents (
Additionally, almost half of all first responders (
“The results of our third annual public safety communications survey once again underscore how important network reliability is to first responders,” said Maggie Hallbach, Senior Vice President, Verizon Public Sector and President, Verizon Frontline. “This is why it’s not surprising that more than 35,000 public safety agencies trust Verizon Frontline to deliver their mission-critical communications capabilities.”
Reliability as a priority is even more pronounced within the areas emergency preparedness and response. Almost three-quarters of respondents (
Mobility is evolving
The devices most used on a daily basis by first responders in the field are smartphones (
By comparison, the devices less likely to be used on a daily basis by first responders today are more likely to be used on a daily basis in five years. Less than half of respondents (
5G is a must-have
As the prevalence of 5G continues to grow, so does awareness of 5G capabilities among first responders. In this year’s survey, more than three-quarters of respondents (
“With more than half of all respondents identifying speed or reliability as the primary benefits of 5G and nearly 80-percent identifying 5G as either a top or important priority for their agency in the near future, there is no doubt first responders are ready to embrace the capabilities and applications enabled by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband,” said Massimo Peselli, Verizon’s Chief Revenue Officer for Global Enterprise and Public Sector. “From internet-connected vehicles to enhanced situational awareness through real-time sharing of video and images from the front lines…and so much more…Verizon Frontline and 5G are poised to help transform the future of public safety.”
Other findings and standout statistics from the survey include the following:
- Stronger connections wanted:
65% of first responders said they would like a stronger connection in the field, up from60% last year. This desire for a stronger connection lines up with one of the main concerns of67% of respondents – having an unreliable network. - Smartphones losing dominance: Smartphones are the devices most used by first responders today, with
88% of respondents saying they use smartphones on a daily basis, but that number is declining. Last year,92% of respondents said they used smartphones daily. Also, only84% of this year’s respondents said they anticipate using smartphones daily in five years. 43% of first responders feel unprepared for cyberattacks43% of first responders expect to use robots on a daily basis in five years (compared to13% now)
For more information on the Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey, visit https://www.verizon.com/about/news/frontline-public-safety-communications-2023
Media Contact:
Eric Durie
516-382-8219
eric.durie@verizon.com