Marine Corps Marathon is Backdrop for Advanced Interagency Sharing

NextGen Technology Supports Enhanced Public Safety

CHANTILLY, VA, Jan 10, 2023 – In a successful demonstration of the advanced emergency datacasting features of the NextGen Broadcast (ATSC 3.0) standard, SpectraRep® LLC released the results of its sophisticated deployment of advanced interagency sharing protocols for emergency communications in connection with the 2022 U.S. Marine Corps Marathon. In concert with Sinclair Broadcast Group/ONE Media 3.0, SpectraRep deployed its IncidentOne™ Datacast Solution during the complex and dynamic security event held on Oct. 30 in Washington, DC. As the leader in datacasting services for more than 20 years, SpectraRep used the NextGen Broadcast standard to deliver encrypted video, alerts, and file sharing among eight public safety agencies. Those agencies included the DC Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DC HSEMA). All data was delivered securely over-the-air without the need for internet or wireless data transmission (LTE) services via SpectraRep’s proprietary IncidentOne™ Datacast Solution to support a robust security environment.

IncidentOne™ Datacast is an enterprise-grade, wireless, emergency, communications solution that uses the power of over-the-air digital television (DTV) technology to deliver operational and crisis incident data quickly and securely. For the Marine Corps Marathon, SpectraRep utilized ATSC 3.0 digital broadcast spectrum from their broadcast partner Sinclair Broadcast Group/ONE Media 3.0 to deliver emergency communications securely. The IncidentOne™ Datacast Solution layered a secure wireless network on top of existing communication procedures to facilitate interagency sharing of data during the marathon.

“Our work on the Marine Corps Marathon is another proof point that our datacasting technology enhances public safety communications by delivering the ability to offer reliable communications across agencies easily and efficiently during large-scale public events,” said Mark O’Brien, President of SpectraRep. “We are very proud of the strong partnership SpectraRep solutions have enabled between technology providers and broadcasters.”

Prior to the marathon, SpectraRep deployed IncidentOne™ Datacast software and datacasting receivers from their technology partners, DigiCAP and West Pond Technologies, in multiple capital region agency facilities and vehicles. Sites ranged from hardened command posts to mobile command vehicles deployed across the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. Encrypted streaming video, files, and alerts were transmitted over WIAV, a Sinclair Broadcast Group NextGen Broadcast-enabled station, to agencies equipped with IncidentOne™ receivers connected to television antennas. Select agencies used an online dashboard to view multiple cameras from participating agencies, or received targeted video over the air, as shown in the screenshot below.

“One of the most important benefits of ATSC 3.0 datacasting,” added O’Brien, “is that it is a significant enabler in the delivery of emergency information. With ATSC 3.0 datacasting, public safety departments can communicate and exchange alerts without having to rely on cellular systems that can become overloaded at large scale events.”

Mark Aitken, President of Sinclair Broadcast Group’s technology subsidiary, ONE Media 3.0, added, “The NextGen Broadcast standard is a tremendous advancement to the industry, especially when it comes to using it for emergency communications. Broadcasters around the country can provide this advanced technology to help save lives.”

The Marathon hosted over 30,000 participants involving public safety organizations from multiple states and localities. Eight local and federal agencies incorporated datacasting into their emergency management enforcement and communications toolkit.

Top successful outcomes from the Marine Corps Marathon program include:

• Participating agencies (including DC-DHS) successfully shared and received encrypted streaming video, targeted alerts, files, and information delivered over the air in ATSC 3.0 without internet or LTE service.
• Multiple agencies were able to receive the same alerts in real time during the marathon, including one notification about a runner missing from the designated course, with description and other identifying information.

Technology partners in the datacasting project include DigiCAP Ltd., West Pond Technologies, Sinclair Broadcast Group (WIAV) and their technology group ONE Media 3.0, E/M Wave, Winegard, Osprey Video, and SpectraRep LLC. Key Association partners include America’s Public Television Stations, ATSC Advanced Television Systems Committee, and the NAB National Association of Broadcasters.

A case study for the Marine Corp Marathon is available on the SpectraRep website. Click here to download. To learn how to use datacasting in your market, please contact SpectraRep at info@SpectraRep.com.

# # #

About SpectraRep
For over 20 years, SpectraRep has been the undisputed leader in datacasting technology and revenue-generating services. Listening to our customers allowed SpectraRep to develop applications and services that solve real-world content distribution problems for education, public safety, alerting, digital signage and more. Our newest ATSC 3 deployments take advantage of that institutional knowledge combining decades of experience with the latest broadcast technology. We partner with broadcasters and clients to solve real-world problems. Our broadcast partners include public and commercial television stations, both full and low-power. Clients include federal, state, and local government agencies, local and state education organizations and private companies. For more information about SpectraRep, visit www.spectrarep.com.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Robert Udowitz
rudowitz@bia.com
703-621-8060

MacKenzie Lovings
mlovings@bia.com
703-606-3481

Mark O’Brien
mobrien@spectrarep.com
703-802-2975