Raytheon will demonstrate the integration of commercial smartphones and tablets with the INTEROP-7000 Suite at APCO International 2013 in Anaheim, Calif. Developed using open standards, INTEROP-7000 enables police, fire and rescue professionals to use commercial smartphones and tablets integrated with existing communications equipment, such as land mobile radios.

Raytheon's INTEROP-7000 also positions public safety to become part of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). FirstNet will provide the first nationwide public safety broadband network.

"Many in public safety already use cellphones on commercial cellular networks, but these devices are often not part of the broader emergency communications network," said Mike Bostic, director of Customer Advocacy for Public Safety and Security at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business.

"By delivering technology that enables commercial smartphones to communicate with existing land mobile radio systems, Raytheon will allow public safety officials to use the best device in any situation."

Twisted Pair Solutions' WAVE Mobile Communicator app -- which turns any Android, Apple iOS, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile smartphone into a multi-channel land mobile radio handset for secure, on-demand push to talk communication -- has been integrated into the INTEROP-7000.

This provides public safety with an additional method of secure communication that goes beyond the boundaries of its current land mobile radio network.

Raytheon's INTEROP-7000 provides customers an easily controlled, cost effective upgrade path to APCO P25 standard land mobile radio systems and broadband communications by providing links between existing and upgraded equipment.

Customers can choose when they want to upgrade and what vendor equipment they want to upgrade to. With the cornerstone of interoperability, different departments can utilize different radio systems and be able to securely communicate with each other.