The Future of ISI for PMR TETRA Networks is Now

As the PMR industry is on the threshold of an evolution towards broadband technologies, at Critical Communications Europe this week in Copenhagen Airbus started the discussion on how to use 4/5G networks in future interoperability projects.

During the panel session, that was attended by many international visitors, it became very clear that the implementation of ISI for TETRA-TETRAPOL networks might be relatively easy when we look at the technical aspects of the integration between two TETRA or TETRAPOL networks, however during the panel session it became clear that the real challenge lies in the operations. For example, what agreements need to be made between neighbouring countries, how should the fleetmap look like, in what language will be communicated and, for example, what are the legal challenges? 

That ISI is not only related to cross border communications was stated by a representative in the public from the Norwegian Nødnett TETRA Network. ISI is not limited to cross border communication. ISI can also be very beneficial when heads of state travel to other countries in order to meet their counterparts during international summits, visits or (political) forums.

When we look into the future, it looks like most of the EU countries will be use an interworking solution when transitioning from narrowband technology to broadband technology. This is expected to happen anyway. So why should we not implement ISI in the upcoming years, learn how to communicate between different countries and by the time the migration will be a fact, users will be used to communicate with each other to fight crime and terrorism, to help each-other during large scale disasters or to work efficiently during international summits where government leaders are present.

One of the questions during the session was: "How will ISI be financed?" According to Claudio Becchetti, ISI is not only country related and it is a European matter. Especially when we look at today's borders regarding the migration flow of citizens and asylum seekers and to international terrorism. Not all panel members agreed to this view.

For the future Eric Davalo, Head of Strategy, Solutions Portfolio and Engineering of Secure Land Communications at Airbus said: “Standardisation will be a crucial point, because it facilitates interoperability efforts in Europe. We actually work very closely with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a global organisation that sets international telecommunications standards. This collaboration has positive impact for end-users”. 

The panel session was recorded by Airbus Defence and Space SLC and can be viewed below:

Panel in Critical Communications Europe - "Interoperability and standardization of national PMR networks" from Secure Land Communications on Vimeo.

Panel line up:

• Dr Barbara Held, Head of Operations of BDBOS in Germany
• Phil Kidner, CEO of the Tetra Critical Communications Association
• Eric Davalo, Head of Strategy, Solution Portfolio and Engineering of Secure Land Communications at Airbus
• Claudio Becchetti; organizer of the second part of the European interoperability project ISITEP for end-users and the industry and Head of Product, Services and Solutions Portfolio at Security & Information Systems Division of the Italian company Leonardo.
• Jarmo Vinkvist,‎ CEO of Erillisverkot, Finland
• Jeppe Jepsen‎, expert for interoperability, TCCA
• Moderator: Gert Jan Wolf, founder and Director of MCCResources (Mission Critical Communication Resources)