State and local government agencies are increasingly depending on mobile devices, including smartphones, for communication and data sharing during emergency and disaster response situations. However, for many of these organizations—such as law enforcement, emergency responders, and other first responders—the cellular networks they rely on can become unavailable when needed most.

One of the recurring challenges that the government – at all levels – has faced for as long as many can remember is the need to accomplish massive missions with few resources. To combat that challenge, the government is increasingly turning to technology to better expend taxpayer resources by bridging