"Without Signal, No Spectacle" – Behind the Scenes of Belgium’s National Day

To mitigate any potential issues, ASTRID activated LIP (Location Information Protocol) Load Control from July 19 to 22, effectively managing network usage to prevent overload.

Operator of the critical communications and public safety communicatons network in Belgium, ASTRID, dives into the challenges of operating a large network during large-scale events such as the recent Belgium's National Day that took place, earlier this year, in Brussels. Brecht Lecoutere, a 20-year veteran of ASTRID, shares his insights.

From the  'Te Deum' in the morning to the vibrant parade in the afternoon and the final burst of fireworks in Jubelpark, Belgium's National Day is a celebration that drew 100,000 proud citizens this year. While the festivities dazzled the public, the ASTRID team worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure the seamless operation of the country’s radio communication network.

Coordinating Critical Communications for Major Events

The Operational Efficiency Team at ASTRID, comprising seven experts across Public Safety Answering Point and Mobile Communication divisions, plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth communication among emergency and security services during large-scale events.

Brecht Lecoutere, a 20-year veteran of ASTRID, shared insights into their operations:

“Every year, we coordinate around 60 events, including the National Day, festivals, and sports events. These gatherings demand significant capacity from the ASTRID network due to the high presence of emergency and security personnel.”

Preparation: Key to Success

Preparations for the National Day began as early as January. Lecoutere explained:

“We held our first planning meeting with the Coverage & Performance Team and the Field Infrastructure Team to assess key event locations and establish necessary measures for optimal radio coverage. Our goal is to ensure seamless communication before, during, and after the event.”

Proactive Measures and Real-Time Adjustments

On the day of the event, the Network Operations Centre continuously monitored network performance, dynamically adjusting capacity as needed. Although the peak demand was significant, it never exceeded warning thresholds. To mitigate any potential issues, ASTRID activated LIP (Location Information Protocol) Load Control from July 19 to 22, effectively managing network usage to prevent overload.

The Field Infrastructure Team conducted on-site inspections and testing at crucial locations like Jubelpark and Warandepark, ensuring robust signal levels and minimal interference.

Event-Day Operations

During the event, the ASTRID Service Centre (ASC) used the Viewcor software to monitor all communication channels in real time.

“Viewcor allows us to identify active talk groups and manage individual calls, which consume more capacity. Efficient use of talk groups and disabling unnecessary scanning functions helped optimize radio usage,” Lecoutere noted.

Post-Event Evaluation

"Despite high network utilization, only one issue was reported during the National Day, stemming from a configuration error in certain radios rather than a network fault. After the event, ASTRID conducted a thorough performance evaluation based on KPIs, presenting findings to the Advisory Committee of Users."

“This year, more radios supported a second control channel, which improved network balance and efficiency during high-demand periods. Continuous improvements like these ensure our network remains resilient during large-scale events,” Lecoutere highlighted.

By ensuring reliable communication, ASTRID once again demonstrated its pivotal role in supporting Belgium’s emergency and security services, allowing the nation to celebrate its identity with peace of mind.