Department of Homeland Security Recognizes VoiceInterop as BSI Implementer

United States Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) has identified VoiceInterop as a Bridging System Interface (BSI) implementer.

The growing demand for VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) technology from manufacturers has raised questions and confusion around the use of the technology in public safety communications. In order to address this, the U.S. DHS’s Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology ‘s (NIST’s) Office of Law Enforcement Standards gathered key stakeholders from both the public safety and industry communities, and formed a new group called “ Public Safety VoIP Working Group.”

Now, the VoIP Working Group includes Department of Homeland Security (DHS) OIC, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Office of Law Enforcement Standards; and the Institute for Telecommunications Sciences (ITS).

Primarily focusing on improving emergency response interoperability through the use of VoIP technology, the VoIP Working Group defines and clarifies the expectations for VoIP - in the public safety environment. In addition, it discusses VoIP’s strengths and limitations, defines the requirements for its effective use, and recognizes the need for specifications to improve VoIP’s value in public safety communications.

Currently, OIC, NIST, and ITS together are working with emergency responders as well as industry representatives to define a common connection for bridging devices using VoIP, regardless of the manufacturer, said the company. 

The VoIP Working Group's first specification is the September 2008 finalized BSI (Bridging Systems Interface). The BSI will be providing basic voice interoperability when implemented in bridging equipments, said the Group.

Apart from specializing in standards-based UC middleware application development and integration of IT/Telecom systems, Boca Raton, Florida-based VoiceInterop (News - Alert), a subsidiary of Cleartronic, also manufactures and sells its series of patent pending AudioMate360 IP gateway devices.

Larry Reid, CEO of VoiceInterop, said, "We are pleased that DHS included VoiceInterop along with Twisted Pair Solutions (News - Alert), Cisco, Raytheon, and Motorola to name a few."