The new era of body cams: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular

Jim McMahon, CEO of ZebraCom Inc discusses new security body camera’s that combine Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular for enhanced audio and video connectivity.

Security threats and acts of violence in many industries are on the rise.

This not only undermines the safety of workers but also places greater demand on security professionals who frequently work alone in remote locations where aggressive persons pose a huge threat.

When a security employee encounters a person who becomes verbally abusive the situation may escalate to violence.

Equipping security professionals with the tools they need to protect themselves and others is a vital part in mitigating violence and creating a safer environment.

Body cameras are proven to minimize verbal and physical attacks, as a person’s behavior changes when they know they are being recorded.

Additionally serving as an independent witness, evidence-grade video helps to resolve complaints and disputes by providing transparency and protecting security personnel and security operations from false accusations.

Body cameras also deliver live video streams of events as they unfold, so the security team knows what is happening, allowing immediate response support when needed.

They are an essential tool for documenting property damage.

As a verification and training system, body cameras ensure security personnel properly implement regulatory compliance and enforce best practices and they provide a more visual, engaging way to train personnel.

Challenges and evolution of body cameras

Despite these benefits, body cameras used in security rely on wireless or wired connections for data transfer.

Signal interference, network outages or compatibility problems can disrupt the upload process, delaying or preventing the sharing of video footage with relevant parties. 

Additionally, until just recently, body cameras were only available as separate devices from audio two-way radios, requiring security personnel to carry two separate units, one for audio communication and one for video recording.

Security companies have been continuously looking for wider and better coverage over several decades of improvement in technologies.

Different standards for two-way radios emerged during the last three decades spanning from the basic analog trunking systems in the 1990s, to the commercial and mission-critical digital standards like digital private mobile radio (dPMR), digital mobile radio (DMR), Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) and Project 25 (P25).

City-wide, state-wide and even country-wide coverage is now the standard. Gone are the days when indoor coverage was scratchy for two-way radios.

Security users expect their two-way radio coverage to be at par with mobile phones. This means Wi-Fi access is an option for group calls if cell phone signals are weak.

Location tracking for both outdoor and indoor are utilized for improved asset management and safety.   

During the Covid-19 pandemic where in-building coverage was very useful for first responders, the use of push-to-talk over cellular/IP (PoC) radios was heightened, because nothing beats the performance of PoC in terms of coverage and scalability.

Push-to-Talk over Cellular/IP

Unlike traditional security two-way radios that rely on radio frequency (RF) transmission, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, PoC is an instant communication device that connects cellular service in addition to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, delivering a broader two-way communications capability for security personnel.

PoC allows users to communicate with one or more receivers instantly, in a half-duplex mode, that is, both parties can send and receive information but not at the same time.

A data plan SIM card (similar to those used in cell phones) is installed in the PoC device to enable rapid connection to cellular service and the Internet.

When a PoC radio user presses the push-to-talk button on their device, it sends a signal over the cellular or Internet network to a PoC server.

The server then forwards the signal to the intended recipient’s PoC device, where it is decoded and played through the device’s speaker. 

PoC radio has emerged as a growing alternative two-way communications system for security applications because of its extended range of coverage, low capital investment, flexibility for system design and upgrades, and faster set-up time.

PoC combined with Radio-as-a-Service (RaaS)

Where PoC has elevated two-way radio technology to a higher level of coverage, radio-as-a-service (RaaS) has ushered in a new era of scalability and affordability.

Most businesses are familiar with Software as a Service (SaaS), delivering software solutions that do not burden the customer with managing the service or covering costly upgrades.

Likewise, taking PoC to a higher level of performance can be achieved for security companies by integrating Radio-as-a-Service (RaaS) into a PoC operation.

RaaS approaches two-way radio as a full-service solution for security operations, rather than a hardware tool which two-way radio has been since its invention almost 100 years ago.

Whether 8 or 8,000 radios are required, the heavy infrastructure and cumbersome licensing costs are no longer part of the PoC / RaaS equation.

As a turnkey solution, RaaS provides ongoing management and support for PoC two-way radios. It can include a low monthly fee, maintenance agreement and scalability to add radios as needed.

RaaS can also help reduce downtime by providing timely repairs and upgrades.

RaaS makes it possible for security businesses to shift up-front capital investments to manageable costs using an operating expenditure model.

The RaaS model offers more flexibility and options in pricing. While the security business does not own the hardware, they do not have to be concerned with their communications assets becoming obsolete, because they have access to upgrades without incurring additional costs.

One company that is leading the way for integration of RaaS with PoC for security providers is Versa Innovations, Inc., USA (Versa).

Delivering innovative two-way communication solutions for security and mission-critical teams under the Versa brand, the company’s commanding presence in the Philippine market with security professionals has been leveraged with recent product introductions in the US market, where Versa delivers dependable PoC / RaaS command and control communications solutions for security professionals nationwide.

Versa’s Surveillance – latest generation PoC / RaaS security body camera

Versa has developed the security industry’s latest generation body camera, Versa Orion.

Providing real-time audio and video connectivity in a single device and built on a PoC / RaaS format, Versa Orion is the industry’s first and only body camera enabling Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity delivering a powerful mix of capabilities.

The device revolutionizes how security professionals stay connected and secure in the field by combining three essential tools in one device:

1. Push-to-Talk (PoC) radio communication over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular
2. High-quality body camera surveillance over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular
3. Enhanced GPS location tracking

With multiple ways to connect, the Versa Orion enhances the safety of security professionals by bridging the gap between them and the rest of the team enhancing situational awareness and enabling a coordinated, smarter response.

Versa Orion security body camera with real-time audio and video, and Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity in a single device.

Wider coverage area –

• Conventional two-way radio systems have gaps in coverage that limit their use. This can be caused by signal obstruction from terrain, buildings, foliage, being out of range or even bad weather
• Versa Orion solves these issues by translating the radio audio to a digital format, which allows it to be sent easily over cellular and Internet networks
• This can be particularly useful for security users who need to communicate across long distances or in areas where radio coverage may be limited

Unlimited channels and bandwidth –

• Versa Orion delivers deployable and secure 4G/5G cellular and Internet network compatibility, including Android 8 and Android 11 radios, Bluetooth enabled for improved indoor connectivity
• It allows any number of virtual channels and as many call groups as required
• Supports instant individual (one-to-one) and group calls (one-to-many) with the press of a push-to-talk button on the radio device. The device can share pictures and initiate individual and group video calls with other PoC devices

Connection options –

• Versa Orion features two Nano SIM card slots
• For Wi-Fi, it can be configured directly through the device’s interface and it is compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks

Frequencies used –

• Unlike traditional radio frequencies such as VHF or UHF, Versa Orion can operate over cellular network bands, spanning UHF to SHF bandwidths

Coverage area –

• Coverage is determined by the cellular network of the SIM card in use.
• Versa Orion is also Wi-Fi compatible, this allows it to remain connected nationwide or even globally, as long as it has Internet access

GPS location tracking –

• Versa Orion incorporates integrated GPS to enable location tracking of personnel locations and travel routes with time stamps and geofence boundaries

High-quality video –

• In instances where footage is required for evidence, the camera’s wide angle, Versa Orion’s 1080p HD lens captures high-quality video from the wearer’s viewpoint – providing accountability, protecting people and proving professionalism

Live streaming video –

• Live streaming connects security personnel to the control room, enhancing situational awareness
• Connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network, Versa Orion permits personnel to live-stream video footage to remote colleagues for assistance
• This enables operators and technicians in the field to collaborate with distant experts for instruction and support

Safety features –

• Easy to access emergency buttons on Versa Orion enable sending and receiving emergency alarms for enhanced security personnel safety

Network security –

• When it comes to keeping security professionals’ information private, outdated encryption technology could put communications at risk
• Since Versa Orion PoC design covers upgrades, network security will always be up-to-date and protected

Long battery life –

• Body cameras often have limited battery life, especially in harsh weather or during prolonged recording sessions
• Security personnel may find themselves unable to record critical events due to a dead battery, potentially undermining the effectiveness of the camera system
• With a recording time of up to 12 hours on a single charge Versa Orion enables better protection for security personnel who may be working alone for extended periods of time

Inexpensive infrastructure or FCC fees –

• Versa Orien’s PoC design reduces infrastructure requirements, completely eliminating the need for expensive radio infrastructure
• Since the cellular and Internet infrastructure already exists, Versa Orion can be deployed quickly, with devices working out-of-the-box and SIM cards pre-installed
• For scalability, a limitless number of devices can be added at any time
• As Versa Orion utilizes cellular and Internet networks, no FCC fees are required

New evolution of body cameras for security personnel –

• No longer are security personnels’ body cameras limited to only Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The latest generation of two-way radios enables cell coverage for broader reach
• With real-time audio and video connectivity built into a single device, a better two-way communications performance capability for security personnel has now been realized