TETRA Standard for VHF Expected in Coming Months

Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) confirmed that its work to extend TETRA into the VHF frequency band is basically complete, with final publication expected in a few months.

“The changes to the standard have been finalized,” said Ultan Mulligan, ETSI director of communication, membership and partnership. “However, the revised standard containing these changes may take another one to two months for approval and publication, as other maintenance work needs to be incorporated into this update.”

Phil Kidner, CEO of the TETRA + Critical Communications Association (TCCA), said the association last year completed technical work to prove that TETRA was able to operate successfully in VHF frequencies. ETSI used the data to extend the TETRA standard to the VHF frequency range.

Once the final standard is published and available, “products could follow shortly afterwards,” Kidner said.

The VHF spectrum is used in the United States and other countries for mission-critical communications systems. Cassidian Communications launched its TETRA product line in North America for the first time this week. Several other TETRA manufacturers are targeting the North American and other markets that use VHF spectrum.

Source: Radioresorcemag