Benefits of Using Radio Over IP as Part of the Utility Storm Preparedness Plan

Utility workers need to communicate within a municipality during a storm. Communication is essential to shoring up flood areas, blocking off low water crossings overflowing with water, finding storm shelters, fixing downed power lines, testing the accessibility of clean water and more. Radio over IP helps workers go beyond the current analog signals. RoIP networks offer better interoperability and greater reliability if the local Wan or Lan access is still up and running. RoIP gateways can be the ticket to improved storm preparedness for your utility company.

Improved Function

Storm preparedness plans often include radios as the communication method of choice to deliver necessary information between various departments including utility companies, military personnel, emergency services and municipality offices. Relying only on radio frequencies can mean intermittent communication during a raging storm. Radio over internet protocol uses the internet to send and receive messages. Analog signals are converted to digital signals that travel over IP networks with a vocoder. These digital voice packets are protected with routers and firewalls using what is currently securing the IP network. The added avenues for communication allowed by RoIP for municipalities improves communications for improved efficiency and effective deployment of the storm preparedness plan. When departments can communicate with each other, they can effectively communicate with residents, help affected residents faster and set up barriers efficiently.

Cost Effective

Leveraging RoIP for municipalities is a cost-effective way to streamline effective communications between the various entities mobilized during a storm. RoIP gateways allow the utility companies to use existing LAN lines whether private or public without having to build new pathways for communication. The cost savings of RoIP for utility workers allows for more money to go toward necessary emergency items such as sand bags, storm shelters and life-saving equipment.

Improved Interoperability

Radio signals can send their digitized communications over IP networks. Interconnecting RoIP for utility workers with SIP enabled devices, cell phones and VoIP phones allows the workers to tap a larger network. Communicating between departments and units is faster and more reliable. Installing RoIP for municipalities as part of the storm preparedness plans ensures the utility companies receive training and practice to employ the devices with accuracy during an emergency. Using more than one pathway to communicate naturally increases the reliability of radio communication systems.

The benefits of RoIP for utility workers cannot be overstated. When it comes to storm preparedness, radios can be life savers. Increasing their effectiveness and reliability helps residents and workers alike. Homeowners wishing to increase their ability to communicate with the outside world during a storm may benefit from RoIP if they have the necessary devices.