Next generation public safety

Public safety networks deliver information directly to professionals in order to help them make effective decisions. TETRA is regarded as the cornerstone of the majority of public safety networks around the globe, while the deployment of Tetra Enhanced Data Services (TEDS) is enhancing public safety further through innovation and improvements in both radios and other devices.

“There's a clear expectation from end users that equipment must remain intuitive to use.”
-Manuel Torres

With public safety bodies facing increasing demands as a result of growing populations and increasingly complex social and technical infrastructures, networks need to adapt in order to help public safety personnel work efficiently and effectively. As a result, technology has evolved in order to ensure the maintenance of the very highest levels of performance in mission-critical situations.

The next generation of public networks

The importance of TETRA must not be understated. TETRA provides a cost-effective, resilient network capable of accessing data nationwide, enabling officers to access information such as vehicle registration data or the missing person's register while out in the field.

TEDS provides the same cost-efficient coverage footprint as TETRA but with faster data speeds and it allows many current systems to be upgraded. TEDS enables enhanced information access and data input across wide areas, allowing officers to search systems, report from the field, access images and even receive short CCTV clips to assist in identification. In addition, short audio clips (for example witness interviews) can be recorded and sent back to the office from the field. In the modern world there is enormous pressure on network capacity due to the number and density of users. Consequently, we expect to see next-generation mobile networks and also wireless technologies that deliver broadband-on-the-go being used alongside TETRA networks to enable these data-hungry applications.

In the future, devices will provide flexible connectivity to enable collaboration between different terminals. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility for data communications is also likely to be included in public safety radios. Using Bluetooth, officers can send data from their radios to devices such as computers at HQ or printers in the field. As mobile broadband networks become available, Bluetooth will also support the transfer of data between, for example, a TETRA handheld device and a vehicle terminal equipped with wireless connectivity.

Motorola puts user-centric design at the heart of its devices and focuses on developing specific devices to meet specific user needs. While future devices are likely to be capable of capture and transmission of video and more powerful command and control functionality, there's a clear expectation from end users that equipment must remain intuitive to use.

Flexible applications

There is clear benefit in creating applications at a national level that can be used locally. However, in order for this to happen, the devices and systems used by various agencies mean that any application must be flexible enough to provide access to national services while seamlessly integrating local applications. Consequently, it is necessary to adapt existing architectures for use over mission critical wireless radio systems and Motorola already makes Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) available so partners can develop services on its TETRA networks and devices.

Furthermore, the application must 'know' over what network information is being accessed and by which type of device: for instance, whether an officer is working on a radio with a small screen across TETRA, or is using an in-car laptop in a city connected over a high-speed private 4G network. Based on these variables, the application will be able to decide if it needs to restrict some features and how information is presented to deliver the best user experience.

Delivering the Future

TETRA will remain the cornerstone network for mission-critical public safety voice and data communications with TEDS over private 4G networks, offering the potential to enhance data capacity to deliver multimedia services, such as video, for access to information at the point where it is needed the most.

Biography

Manuel Torres is Corporate Vice President & General Manager for Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions, EMEA. He has overall responsibility for Motorola's channels and growth operations as well as the private direct radio business for large governmental projects including government, enterprise and mobility solutions across Europe, Middle East and Africa.