The Evolution from Critical LMR to Broadband and Control Room Operations

The Australian Critical Communications Forum (ACCF) hosted a pre-conference Comms Connect workshop on 18 October, titled ‘Latest initiatives and innovations in critical LMR, Broadband and Control Centres’, covering the future of LMR with LTE, 4G and 5G networks both public and private.

The ACCF, a regional chapter of the TCCA, has a longstanding and successful association with the organisers of the Comms Connect events in support of Australasian mission- and business-critical LMR and broadband users. The workshop was held in cooperation with the Australian Control Room Network Association (ACRNA) — a key industry association representing a diverse range of control room operators — with presentations from ACRNA committee members, Melbourne University CDMPS and Zetron addressing the digital/wireless revolution; the future impacts on control rooms; and the global trends in control room solutions and standards.

Some 50 delegates were in attendance, with representatives from USA, New Zealand, and most states and territories. The workshop and keynote speakers provided the delegates with the latest LMR/broadband product and technology overviews and case studies addressing the convergence of mission- and business-critical LMR and broadband (ETSI and 3GPP LTE 4G, 5G standards) capabilities serving industry and society.

TCCA CEO Kevin Graham highlighted the nec...