Narrowband  |   Broadband  |  2025-01-28

ASTRID Welcomes European Experts in Radio Communications for Public Safety

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

With a focus on critical communication networks such as TETRA and future developments towards 4G and 5G solutions, the PSRG plays a key role in the modernisation of emergency communications.

On 5 and 6 November, the city of Ghent, Belgium, was the setting for the meeting of the Public Safety Radiocommunications Group (PSRG). This international group of experts, including police, fire and ambulance staff, focuses on the development, management and improvement of radio communications systems specifically intended for public safety.

With a focus on critical communication networks such as TETRA and future developments towards 4G and 5G solutions, the PSRG plays a key role in the modernisation of emergency communications.

During this two-day meeting, around forty participants from various European countries came together. The programme included informative presentations on national projects, including comparisons with ASTRID's "Next Generation Communication" initiative. In addition to the technical exchanges, participants had the opportunity to discover Ghent's rich historical heritage during a guided city tour.

A shared vision and common challenges

The presentations showed that many countries share similar challenges and ambitions with ASTRID. Many radio network operators are preparing to move to technologies such as Mission Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT), complemented by applications such as video and data.

Innovative network architectures, such as MCRAN and MOCN, were also discussed. In addition, the impact of new generations of equipment on ergonomics and safety was discussed. These discussions underlined the crucial importance of international cooperation in the development of communication systems.

ASTRID, a committed player on the European stage

It was a great honour for ASTRID (the host company for the upcoming Critical Communications World event that will take place from 17 to 19 June 2025  the Brussels Expo, Belgium) to be able to organise this event. This collaboration with our European partners illustrates our commitment to making communication between emergency and security services increasingly efficient and modern. Such partnerships are essential to ensure technological progress in our sector and to provide optimal support to the emergency services in the field, who make a difference every day.