Semtech Corporation, a provider of high-performance semiconductors powering AI data centre networking and intelligent, connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices worldwide, is adding new resilient communications building blocks to its AirLink 5G Networking Solutions. Semtech will demonstrate the new capabilities on stand 2964 at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference in Orlando, Florida.
First responders rely on in-vehicle connectivity for computer-aided dispatch, live video and mobile data. When a mass-casualty incident, large-scale event or natural disaster pushes commercial networks to capacity, public safety traffic can get caught in the same congestion. In a recent survey, 64% of first responders named unreliable network connectivity as their single biggest concern (Source: T-Mobile, “5G and Public Safety: Transforming Emergency Response with T-Priority,” T-Mobile Newsroom, 2025).
“Resilient communication is not a capacity problem; it’s a priority and a data security problem,” said Kinana Hussein, the vice president of networking solutions at Semtech. “AirLink networking solutions help address both. Network slicing support gives public safety dedicated, prioritised access to network resources, and AirLink OS 6.1 helps agencies meet FIPS 140-3 through a software update, with no hardware replacement.”
AirLink XR90, XR80 and XR60 routers
The AirLink XR90, XR80 and XR60 in-vehicle 5G routers are built for public safety fleets. All three are FirstNet Trusted for use on FirstNet, built with AT&T, and certified for both T-Mobile’s T-Priority and Verizon’s Frontline network slices, giving agencies dedicated, prioritised access to emergency network resources on either carrier.
FIPS 140-3 and Zero Trust
With the new AirLink OS 6.1 operating system release, compatible AirLink routers can meet the new Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-3 through a software update, with no hardware replacement required. FIPS 140-3 replaces FIPS 140-2, whose certificates the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) moved to its Historical List on 21 September 2026. Semtech’s Zero Trust architecture builds on its recently announced integration with Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls.
Fleet management built to scale
New fleet management groups in Semtech’s AirLink Management Service platform let administrators set the software and configuration standard for each device model, check compliance across the fleet immediately and correct devices that are not configured to the standard. AirLink Manager / AirLink Mobility Manager 2.18.1 extends that flexibility further, adding on-premises management options across the full AirLink OS portfolio, so agencies can manage fleets in the cloud or air-gapped.
Semtech at IACP 2026, stand 2964
Greg Hill, Semtech director of product management, AirLink Networking Solutions, and Dan Robinson, Semtech director of AirLink government sales and a former police chief, will present “5G Network Slicing, Satellite, Zero Trust: The New Building Blocks of Resilient Communications” on Monday 26 October from 3.15pm to 3.45pm EDT. On stand 2964, attendees can see an interactive network slicing demonstration, Semtech’s cloud and on-premises management platforms and integrations with in-vehicle technology providers.
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