Demonstrated at: #Interop26
A successful migration of public safety communications from legacy narrowband push-to-talk (PTT) to mobile broadband technology depends on a vital requirement: ensuring communications when no network is reachable. Cellular technology, including LTE and 5G, is predicated on network supervision to govern access, authentication, authorization, power control, handover, and more. Simply put: No network, no communications.
Public safety operations frequently take place in locations with no access to an LTE or 5G network. Future transitions from classical PTT operations that naturally support off-network device-to-device communications force a shift to the mobile broadband paradigm. 5G sidelink delivers the essential foundation for achieving off-network device-to-device communications. This 5G feature goes further by enabling mesh topologies that can ultimately bridge an isolated 5G device to an active 5G network.
Fortunately, significant progress has been made, and early prototypes are entering the hands of solution innovators. This video clearly explains how 5G sidelink can impact mission operations. Qualcomm subject matter experts Brittany Haile and James Senior delivered the presentation at the August 2026 Texas A&M University Center for Applied Communications and Networks (CACN) Interop 2026 conference in College Station, Texas. An informative Question-and-answer period concludes the 11-minute presentation.
To be sure, much work remains to realize the potential 5G promises. Basic 5G device transmission-power limitations may prove inadequate to handle typical fireground communications between crews inside a large structure and resources outside. The spectrum bands available may set the stage for unacceptable signal fade between building walls. And how group PTT communications work in an isolated environment when a complex mix of collaborating agencies come together remains an open question. But the progress demonstrated at the Texas A&M University Center for Applied Communications and Networks (CACN) shows that the foundation is in place.
This video is provided thanks to the Texas A&M University CACN leadership team. We are indebted to Executive Director Michael E. Fox and Vice Chancellor Kelli Samples for their support.