Why Network Reliability Matters in Next Generation 911
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3 minute read
Downtime is inconvenient for businesses, but for public safety, it’s unacceptable. When cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) go down, so do entire industries that use their systems – all because their infrastructure depends on a single cloud provider. This can’t happen with Next Generation 911. When lives are on the line, a reliable, always-on network is non-negotiable.
That’s why we’ve taken a fundamentally different approach, and one that complies with NENA i3 standards. Unlike other NG911 vendors that rely on public cloud or internet-based VPNs, Synergem’s network never touches AWS, Azure, Oracle or any public path. Our nationwide IP network is built to operate as a private, dedicated and fully redundant environment. As an NG911 vendor, Synergem’s network reliability ensures that your PSAP stays online even when public infrastructures fail.
At the heart of Next Generation Core Services is an IP-based infrastructure. This shift from traditional circuit-switched networks to IP networks allows for more efficient data transmission and communication. IP-based systems offer greater flexibility, scalability, and resilience. This means that 911 will remain available during unexpected increases in call volume.
Below are two core elements to Next Generation 911:
The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) defines strict standards for Next Generation 911 network design. A new network must not be reliant on the open internet, meaning it must be private, managed, and redundant.
Unlike public internet paths that introduce variables that can’t be controlled, resilient and redundant network architectures are the foundation of mission-critical reliability for PSAPs and state agencies. A true NG911 network must eliminate the risk of shared failure points, congestion, and unpredictable routing through design, not reaction.
Even minor hiccups can delay or misroute emergency calls in a public cloud environment. During the recent AWS outage, organizations across the U.S lost connectivity for hours because they shared the same public backbone. For a 911 system, this is unthinkable.
Some NG911 vendors take a hybrid approach, using partially dedicated links through internet-based VPNs or cloud-hosted services. However, this setup still inherits the instability of the public internet – and for PSAPs, dependency quickly becomes vulnerability.
Synergem has built its own backbone network with ESInet and i3-Route™. Every connection is managed from the originating service provider to PSAP technology within a nationwide private environment. By eliminating public internet pathways and third-party cloud dependencies, the system achieves true architectural independence and exceptional control.
Synergem’s infrastructure includes:
This means that if one site, route, or system experiences a disruption, another will instantly take over. This also means you will never be at a loss of service. Because Synergem owns and manages the network, we can offer stronger Service Level Agreements (SLAs) backed by direct operational control, predictable performance across every connection, and faster troubleshooting and proactive monitoring.
When evaluating NG911 vendors, PSAPs and state agencies should ask five essential questions:
Synergem can confidently answer “yes” to control, redundancy, and resiliency. And we do it without external dependency.
Anytime cloud computing platforms experience an outage, the world is reminded that even the largest, most sophisticated public networks can fail. But seconds matter in public safety and it cannot afford that risk. Synergem’s dedicated, fully redundant nationwide IP network is built for one mission: to keep emergency communications online, even when everything else goes offline. When seconds matter, choose a network built for 911, not borrowed from the public internet. Contact our team today to discuss your upgrade to Next Generation 911.