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Public safety operations are becoming more distributed, more data driven, and more dependent on resilient connectivity than ever before. As we enter 2026, CIOs are under pressure to align technology investments with measurable operational readiness such as faster situational awareness, uninterrupted command and control, more effective field communications, and the ability to scale during major incidents.
To meet those expectations, connectivity strategies must evolve. The following technologies and planning considerations should be on every public safety CIO’s roadmap.
1. LEO Satellite Moves from Contingency to Core Infrastructure
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite solutions have progressed significantly over the past two years. What began as an option for remote field operations is now part of mainstream continuity planning for state and local agencies.
Why it matters in 2026:
- Coverage gaps are shrinking
- Lower latency enables real-time field data and cloud-based workflows
- Redundancy is now budget-justifiable as part of continuity of operations planning
Planning focus for CIOs:
- Integrate satellite into agency network architectures rather than treating it as an isolated capability
- Build policies for bandwidth prioritization during surge events
- Incorporate LEO failover into exercises and operational playbooks
2. 5G and FirstNet Convergence Improves Field Bandwidth but Requires Policy Alignment
FirstNet adoption continues to mature while carriers expand mid-band 5G. Together, these upgrades support higher throughput for video, IoT sensors, and cloud workflows, particularly in mobile command, UAS operations, and live situational feeds.
Where CIOs should prepare:
- Evaluate device ecosystems for hardening and compatibility
- Assess coverage variability among carriers and FirstNet
- Plan for data-intensive workflows shifting from local servers to the cloud
As more mission applications rely on carrier networks, policy alignment becomes critical for:
- Prioritization of public safety traffic
- Zero-trust authentication across field deployments
- Mobile device management for distributed personnel
Connectivity is no longer just a carrier contract. It is an extension of the agency cybersecurity posture.
3. Edge Computing Reduces Latency and Cloud Dependency During Incidents
Edge computing is becoming the backbone of mission data workflows. During wind events, flooding, or wildfires, last-mile connectivity often becomes congested or degraded. Running AI and analytics workloads at the edge keeps decision making local and reliable.
Emerging use cases:
- Real-time video analytics for incident command
- UAS visual intelligence for search and rescue
- IoT sensor fusion for hazardous environments
- GIS rendering and mapping for tactical planning
CIOs should plan for:
- Ruggedized edge computing infrastructure
- Data governance between edge, cloud, and EOC environments
- Power management for remote deployments
- Software licensing and refresh cycles for field systems
- Edge architectures enhance resiliency by reducing dependency on bandwidth rather than adding more of it.
4. Operational Readiness Metrics Become Budget Drivers
Technology budgets are increasingly influenced by how well agencies can quantify readiness rather than simply acquire equipment. CIOs are being asked to demonstrate operational outcomes such as:
Metrics gaining traction:
- Time to establish connectivity in the field
- Network uptime during sustained incidents
- Data availability for real-time decision support
- Continuity and failover success rates
- Training and exercise proficiency ratings
These metrics translate directly into budget requests and grant justifications. Agencies that can articulate readiness gaps, rather than just equipment needs, secure more predictable funding.
5. Budgeting for a Hybrid Connectivity Future
Public safety connectivity strategies are no longer built around a single technology. The most mission-ready agencies blend terrestrial networks, FirstNet and 5G, LEO satellite, microwave backhaul, deployable field networks, and edge computing.
The challenge for 2026 planning is not technology selection. It is how these systems interoperate under stress.
Key budgeting recommendations for CIOs:
- Prioritize multi-path redundancy rather than single-solution expansion
- Add funding lines for deployment, training, lifecycle management, and refresh cycles
- Include cybersecurity impacts in telecom modernization planning
- Consider managed service models to support surge operations
- Hybrid strategies ensure that connectivity failures do not become mission failures.
Where CIOs Can Start Today
To establish a 2026-ready connectivity roadmap, agencies should:
- Assess current coverage and dependencies, including satellite gaps
- Map mission applications to bandwidth and latency requirements
- Model failure scenarios and recovery paths
- Refresh policies for edge, cybersecurity, and device fleets
- Align budget cycles with grant and procurement windows
- Exercise field deployment capabilities, not only EOC-based capabilities
The goal is not to adopt every emerging technology. The goal is to reduce friction between technology and mission execution.
Bottom Line
Public safety missions are increasingly data driven, mobile, and distributed. Agencies that treat connectivity as an operational capability, rather than only an IT function or procurement line, will be best positioned for 2026.
For CIOs and technology leaders, the roadmap ahead is clear. Build connectivity that is hybrid, resilient, measurable, and mission aligned, and ensure it performs when environments are most demanding.