As an undisputed leader and technology innovator at the forefront of video broadcast and content creation, LiveU has earned its position in a highly competitive global market. Eric Buer, LiveU’s Senior Director of Sales and Business Development, shared insights into what sets LiveU apart.
“LiveU innovated a technology called cellular bonding nearly 20 years ago,” Eric stated. “Our patented technology allows broadcasters and content creators to seamlessly stream high-quality live video in real-time. Our protocol for IP Bonding – LRT and wireless connectivity – ensure rock-solid resiliency and low latency from any location. Our rich portfolio ranges from our portable multi-cam/compact 5G encoders for live transmission to next-gen cloud ingest, digital production and global distribution solutions. Customers can go live from anywhere with LiveU’s advanced, network-agnostic connectivity solutions – combining cellular (including private 5G), fiber and satellite.”
LiveU evolved into the position as a key player in public safety through the company’s ability to provide stable connectivity in cell-congested and/or rural areas – a feature that has been invaluable to public safety and government agencies for a long time. In the early days, LiveU’s technology allowed for public affairs teams to get messages out to the public – press conferences on a mountain overlooking a wildfire in California, or to report on traffic or incidents for the public to steer clear of.
Today, the technology has found a place in situational awareness scenarios for mission-critical operations. From coordinated team communications or for a drone to share feeds from a natural disaster, arrest warrant apprehension, to other incidents. LiveU provides high-quality video in real-time to video management solutions (VMS) and direct to first responders via cell phones to enable swift decision-making with a clear operating picture (COP).
In surveillance and monitoring, drones equipped with LiveU technology provide continuous aerial coverage, instantly sharing video feeds with both command centers and Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCCs).
“LiveU is uniquely valuable to public service agencies when compared to other video and drone providers as we are a complement that works seamlessly to transmit drone footage to VMS platforms,” Mr. Buer affirmed. “Our value is in providing the peace of mind that drones will stay connected in order to transmit the highest quality live feeds to wherever the content needs to go. LiveU has been instrumental in providing connectivity when hurricanes or other factors challenge critical infrastructure, and when coupled with award-winning support and knowledge of the unique needs and requirements of the public safety market, that’s the icing on the cake.”
Sub-second latency and HD quality via LiveU patented LRT™ protocol ensure clear, real-time visuals enabling first responders and command staff to make decisions quickly and with the most up-to-date picture of what’s happening. End-to-end encryption adds a layer of security so video is delivery safely to where it needs to go.
Drone Integration and Real-Time Situational Awareness
“At the heart of our technology is the LiveU Reliable Transport (LRT) protocol,” said Eric. “This combines multiple cellular networks into a single, resilient connection. Unlike traditional fail-over and other single carrier solutions, LRT ensures stable, uninterrupted video delivery – even in challenging network conditions. This reliability allows agencies to confidently connect to the various components of their DFR workflow, maintaining performance and access to critical tools, even in challenging operational environments.”
During tactical situations, drones offer critical situational awareness, allowing teams to assess risks and plan responses with precision. This continuous visual contact is a game-changer for law enforcement agencies navigating complex, high-stakes scenarios.
A critical enabler of this scalability is the LU-REQON1™ unit. Designed to integrate seamlessly into existing systems, including platforms like Skydio Cloud, LU-REQON1 eliminates the need for costly overhauls. Agencies can start with basic surveillance capabilities and gradually expand into full-scale DFR operations without disrupting workflows or replacing equipment. This adaptability minimizes friction and maximizes return on investment.
LiveU’s bonded cellular connectivity transforms how agencies collaborate. Obtaining real-time video allows command centers, field units, and neighboring jurisdictions access to the same visual intelligence simultaneously, fostering a cohesive and agile response framework.
Given the immense responsibility of maintaining public safety during large-scale events and demonstrations, law enforcement agencies have faced increased scrutiny in recent years. Significant differences in operational procedures across various jurisdictions have been identified as a key issue, highlighting the need for a more unified approach to crowd control and public order management. Despite the varying tactics employed by police today, one commonality exists: the use of video footage.
“At LiveU, we offer Situational Awareness Solutions across drones, Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV), helicopters, and dash cams, designed to meet the unique needs of public safety organizations,” Eric explained. “Additionally, our UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and drone streaming solutions offer secure live video transmission, crucial for public safety and defense operations. This enhances situational awareness, allowing officers to view high-quality, low-latency live drone footage in the command and control center and on any mobile/portable internet-connected device.”
In search and rescue operations, thermal imaging capabilities paired with reliable video delivery from LiveU help teams locate missing persons in challenging terrain. By streaming real-time intelligence to multiple stakeholders, drones ensure coordinated efforts that save both time and lives.
LiveU’s Tech Supports Infrastructure Resilience and Post-Disaster Assessments
• With LiveU’s live video streaming, drone operators can send video directly to command centers, allowing engineers and safety officials to assess conditions as they unfold.
• LiveU’s IP-based video transmission ensures that every frame is available for analysis immediately, no matter how remote the survey site. This capability is crucial in emergencies—such as assessing post-hurricane damage or monitoring active landslides—where time is of the essence.
• Cities like City of Westerville have leveraged LiveU alongside their collaborative police and fire drone program for infrastructure and environmental monitoring. The technology has streamlined solar inspections and traffic studies, reducing the time required to conduct evaluations while keeping inspectors safe.
• By eliminating the need for inspectors to climb ladders or access hazardous rooftops, LiveU is helping municipalities improve efficiency while minimizing risk.
Support for Real-Time Crime Centers and Integration with Existing Systems
RTCCs work because they connect the dots. Surveillance systems, gunshot detection, LPR and Facial recognition tech, and AI analytics all flow into a single hub, creating a real-time common operating picture of what’s happening in the field. Partnerships with venues like hotels and arenas stretch this reach further, giving agencies access to video and cameras at key locations, without the cost of building out new infrastructure. It’s efficient, scalable, and vital for lowering response times and anticipating threats before they escalate.
Fixed infrastructure has its limits. Relying on traditional CCTV solutions often means slow deployment and steep costs—hardly ideal when incidents unfold outside established networks or during large crowd events when carrier networks can be strained. Agencies are moving towards platforms that are flexible, interoperable and agnostic to existing and legacy infrastructure.
“This is another area where LiveU really stands out,” Eric stated. “We offer a straightforward fix to traditional coverage problems: build a system that goes wherever it’s needed. The LU-REQON1™ plug-and-play field unit enables swift setup in any location, integrating seamlessly with existing video management systems and supporting both HDMI and IP devices. For agencies managing large events or tactical operations, this technology is capable of providing encrypted video delivery with remote PTZ camera control.
“At the heart of the solution is LiveU Reliable Transport protocol (LRT™), which combines multiple cellular networks to ensure uninterrupted connectivity, even in challenging environments. The patented highly resilient IP-video protocol permits LiveU solutions to transmit high quality video and sensor data wirelessly, making them highly portable.”
By bonding, or combining several diverse IP connections, including 4G and 5G mobile connections, Low Earth Orbit satellite (LEO), Mesh Radio, WiFi and Ethernet, into a single, secure and robust connection, the LiveU Situational Awareness Solution, backed by LRT, can be deployed in remote locations or areas experiencing network congestion.
LiveU Central – the company’s cloud management platform seamlessly ties in with RTCC technology tools (Milestone, Fusus, Axon, etc.) to deliver these feeds. Agencies are then able to send these LiveU feeds to a VMS for review and cataloguing for reporting and training purposes. LiveU File transfer allows large files to be transmitted in real time to RTCCs for future review as well.
Ease of Use, Training and Deployment
Here are answers to some of the most common questions asked about using LiveU.
• Start-up times are fairly quick. LiveU recommends setting up a meeting to discuss budgets and scalabilities for the solution that will best need specific needs.
• Training support is readily available and robust. LiveU offers product demos, training and support. As for certification, there are no formal certifications required to operate LiveU technology.
Who is using LiveU technology?
- We’re working with federal and local patrol agencies that use our technology to stream live video from patrol vehicles and drones across vast, remote areas where traditional communications infrastructure is limited. This gives border security commanders real-time visibility into situations developing along hundreds of miles of coverage areas border.
- We’re also supporting urban SWAT teams that need to stream tactical operations from vehicles and robotic systems back to command centers and incident commanders.
- In disaster response, our technology has enabled emergency management teams to assess damage and coordinate resources by streaming live video from helicopters and ground teams directly to state and federal emergency operations centers.
For more information visit the Live U website, https://www.liveu.tv/.
