Center for Applied Communications and Networks
Advancing Interoperable, Mission‑Critical Communications
The Interop Institute is a premier, hands‑on event focused on advancing interoperable communications, resilient infrastructure, and integrated systems that support public safety, emergency response, and critical operations.
Hosted by the Texas A&M University Center for Applied Communications and Networks (CACN), the Interop Institute brings together government, industry, academia, and practitioners to collaborate, test, and evaluate technologies in realistic operational environments.
Unlike traditional events, the Interop Institute emphasizes practical application, live demonstrations, and direct collaboration—bridging the gap between research, development, and real‑world deployment.
Attendees
Who Attends interop
The Interop Institute convenes a diverse and highly engaged community. This diverse participation ensures meaningful dialogue across disciplines and perspectives.
What makes interop different
The Interop Institute is designed to move beyond theory and into action. Participants engage directly with systems, technologies, and partners to explore how interoperability works in practice.
Collaborative Problem‑Solving
Engineers, operators, policymakers, and researchers work side‑by‑side to address real operational challenges.
Technical Depth
Deep‑dive sessions provide opportunities to examine system architectures, standards, integration challenges, and performance considerations.
Hands‑On Demonstrations
Experience technologies operating together in realistic scenarios, including mission‑critical communications, emergency response systems, and resilient network solutions.
Operational Focus
Interop prioritizes solutions that can be deployed, scaled, and sustained in real environments.
Event tracks
Core Focus Areas
The Interop Institute’s Core Focus Areas define the enduring priorities that guide CACN’s research, collaboration, and engagement. These focus areas reflect the most critical interoperability challenges facing public safety, government, and critical infrastructure today—while anticipating those of the future. Each annual Interop event advances these priorities through applied research, real‑world demonstrations, and operationally focused collaboration.
Exploring how public safety, government, and commercial networks can interoperate seamlessly across shared and dedicated infrastructure to support reliable communications during routine operations and large‑scale incidents.
Advancing interoperable mission‑critical voice, data, and video services across diverse technologies, vendors, and standards to ensure dependable communications when they matter most.
Focusing on how integrated communications systems, data platforms, and operational tools work together to improve coordination, situational awareness, and decision‑making during emergency response.
Addressing strategies to design, deploy, and maintain resilient communications infrastructure that can withstand disruptions and continue delivering assured services in challenging environments.
Evaluating emerging communications technologies in realistic operational settings to understand their readiness, interoperability impacts, and practical value for mission‑critical use.
Past Events
Why Interop Matters
Interop 2024 Video
Discover the real impact of the Interop Institute through the voices of those who make it possible. This video brings together candid insights from sponsors, industry leaders, and attendees as they share how Interop creates unmatched value—from accelerating technology adoption to forging collaborative partnerships that strengthen first responder communications.
Hear firsthand how the event’s hands‑on demonstrations, cross‑sector engagement, and problem‑solving environment empower innovators, agencies, and solution providers to work together in new and meaningful ways. If you’re considering attending, sponsoring, or engaging with the Interop Institute, this is the clearest window into why this gathering has become a cornerstone for advancing interoperability across the nation.
Watch the conversations shaping the future of emergency communications.