Broadband  |   Satellite  |  2024-08-21

Icon Water And Vertel Complete Major Communications Network Upgrade with Airbus MCX Solution

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

At the core of the new network is the Airbus Agnet MCx, a 3GPP Standards based system that is hosted in Australia in a highly secure, multi zoned, fully redundant Data Centre environment.

Vertel announced today that Icon Water And Vertel completed major communications nework upgrade by replacing the old analogue MPT system for a state-of-the-art 3GPP standards based MCPTT solution from Airbus.

Icon Water is the ACT’s supplier of essential water and sewerage services that comprises the territory’s network of dams, water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, reservoirs, water and sewage pumping stations, mains and other related infrastructure. 

Prior to the recent upgrade, the primary means of communications for the 24x7 field operations staff was an old analogue MPT system that provided unsecured voice only communications that was well past end of life and about to be decommissioned by the existing operator. 4G was an alternative, but it did not provide coverage in all of the areas that Icon Water operates in. 

In mid 2022, Icon Water sought submissions from interested parties to deliver a replacement communications network that comprised of: 

  • A Mission Critical Push to Talk (MCPTT) system 
  • Push to talk handsets and accessories 
  • A 4G/Satellite vehicle connectivity solution 
  • Vehicle installations 
  • 4G coverage extensions in a number of their buildings 
  • Enterprise Mobility Management and application compatibility 
  • Support, Training and Documentation

Following a successful proof-of-concept deployment in early 2023, Vertel was chosen to design, deliver and manage the network upgrade for Icon Water. 

At the core of the new network is the Airbus Agnet MCx, a 3GPP Standards based system that is hosted in Australia in a highly secure, multi zoned, fully redundant Data Centre environment.

It is a secure, flexible and future-proof SaaS-based platform providing 99.99% availability for meeting all critical communication needs by leveraging the benefits of cloud technology, mobile broadband and satellite communication. 

The Airbus Agnet MCx can transmit and receive secure data, video and voice to all relevant stakeholders at once in a secure and reliable way. It allows smartphone, tablet and laptop users to communicate individually, or in a group.

The mobile application is compatible with both Android and iOS. It features a web-based dispatcher, end-to-end encryption, emergency calling, remote and lone worker safety functionalities, along with advanced location tracking, among other capabilities. 

Icon Water’s fleet of around 100 vehicles were fitted with Vertel’s Enhanced Mobility Solution ensuring ubiquitous network connection anywhere within and beyond Icon Waters operating geography. High gain antennas fitted to each of the vehicles also enables connection to corporate apps using laptops, tables or smartphones within an extensive Wi-Fi zone that is created outside of the vehicle.

To provide 4G connectivity in critical Icon Water’s buildings, Vertel engineers initially validated the existing coverage then designed and implemented Vertel’s Connectivity Enhancement solution at the required locations. This solution was designed to meet the bandwidth, latency, and simultaneous user needs.

Icon Water CTO Dr Tony Pollock stated:

“Vertel’s extensive experience and their breath of knowledge in being able to address Icon Water’s requirements enabled the development of our next-generation network, ensuring we are not only responsive to the needs of the Canberra region, but also enabling us to remain compliant with our OH&S policies, procedures and compliance guidelines”.

 Vertel’s CEO Theo Belekas added:

“Our partnership with AIRBUS was key to delivering the comprehensive list of mandatory requirements outlined in the Icon Water RFQ. Our work in wireless and fixed network communications over the past 50 years has positioned us a partner of choice for a wide number of government, enterprise and service provider organisations”.

 Airbus’ APAC Vice President, Alain Ruinet concluded:

“We are proud to have successfully contributed with Vertel to Icon Water’s network upgrade to our broadband platform Agnet MCx. Our expertise in critical communications solutions globally with Mission Critical Push to Talk Over Broadband (MCx) ensures Icon Water can deliver group communications, workplace safety and multimedia capabilities such as video streaming, file sharing and messaging anywhere they operate with LTE and Satellite backhauls”.