Everbridge, a specialist in critical event management (CEM), has received a new patent related to its Public Warning system, which already serves the populations of 11 countries in Europe, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas
The patent applies to a multimedia platform that delivers traditional text alerts using Cell Broadcast (CB) and multimedia content such as audio, images and video using Multicast Content Distribution (MCD).
Multicast technology builds on 5G, the emerging wireless standard set to become the foundation of the next generation of mobile networks. The patent was granted in support of the 5G-Xcast project financed by the European Union (EU), which focuses on the incorporation of broadcast and multicast communication enablers in 5G, in compliance with local regulations and privacy guidelines.
“A missing persons alert, for example, is typically a text-only cell broadcast,” explained Ajay Nigam, chief product officer for Everbridge. “Now, in addition to sending a description of the missing person, a multicast could include a picture of the individual, a video of the area authorities are searching, and audio for the hearing impaired. A more robust alert with rich information could help first responders find the person more quickly with the public’s help, and potentially save a life.”
As the most scalable platform in the industry, Everbridge is the only public warning system that combines cell-broadcast and address-, group-and location-based multi-channel technologies.
Everbridge Public Warning meets and exceeds the needs of any country, public authority or region seeking an advanced warning system to protect its citizens and visitors, a key distinction in the light of the European Union Directive requiring Member States to have a population-wide alert system in place by June 2022.
Everbridge leverages its CEM platform to deliver the most widely used population alerting solution in the world, reaching over 650 million people across the globe. The platform provides critical event management capabilities across a wide range of threats, including natural disasters, cyber attacks, terrorism and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
