TETRA in focus at IWCE 2015
“One of the most interesting developments around TETRA has been the traction gained in North America, with an increasing number of contracts being won for the technology in the region,” said Elizabeth Mead, Senior Analyst, Critical Communications, IHS.
As IWCE 2015 gets under way in Las Vegas this week, the market for TETRA, the latest technology available to critical communications users in North America, is set for solid growth.
Global research organisation IHS predicts that the installed base for TETRA terminals in North and South America is set to grow 14% by 2019, mostly driven by significant uptake in the transportation, utilities and industrial sectors. Notably, shipments into North America are projected to more than double from 2014 to 2019 with more than 30,000 TETRA terminal shipments forecast in the region.
“One of the most interesting developments around TETRA has been the traction gained in North America, with an increasing number of contracts being won for the technology in the region,” said Elizabeth Mead, Senior Analyst, Critical Communications, IHS. “The traditionally strong feature set of TETRA devices is resulting in the technology seeing considerable success in sectors outside the public safety markets, specifically in transportation and utilities.”
“We have an increasing number of member organisations winning contracts to implement TETRA in North America, and many of these are exhibiting the merits of TETRA at IWCE” said Phil Kidner, CEO of the TCCA. “We look forward to the technology becoming an integral part of the continent’s critical communications landscape.”
IHS further estimates that there still remains a significant LMR analogue installed base (more than 70% of existing mobile radio users) that are yet to convert to digital, indicating that the potential for growth of TETRA technology across all major regions remains strong.
“TETRA technology now represents 24% of the digital technology market for LMR worldwide, and has achieved record shipment growth of 17% in 2014 in the EMEA region. As a mature, tried and tested technology, TETRA will undoubtedly remain a favourite for many nationwide rollouts, given the exceptional functionality available. Even with an increase of digital technologies like DMR or dPMR, the TETRA market continues to develop,” said Elizabeth Mead.
The world’s largest TETRA public safety network is nearing completion in Germany, the Nødnett network in Norway is experiencing continued investment, and established TETRA networks such as C2000 in The Netherlands are seeing renewed investment.
IHS is projecting more and more success for TETRA in regions traditionally not necessarily considered strongholds of the technology. The success TETRA has in the European arena is now being emulated in other markets, where new devices that offer enhanced capabilities including ATEX and covert capabilities are now gaining traction in the public safety and security markets.
