Feature

Communications

CTB Panel of Experts: critical communications

Finding solutions
Excelerate, who specialise in delivering resilient communications for complex and critical environments by combining and integrating multiple solutions, say that mobile video streaming solutions serve as both an effective and powerful tool when responding to an incident or managing a pre-planned event. By having access to live video feeds at the scene, footage can be shared and viewed for improved situational awareness and accelerated decision-making. The addition of COFDM technology provides another layer of resilience by enabling critical video footage to be viewed at extended distances in excess of 1km and in non-line-of-sight and high-signal-loss environments.

Conversely, Roadphone NRB has addressed the issue of new radio system costs by creating a three-tiered approach with its Commercial, Commercial Multi-Site and Endurance Technology® solutions. The Endurance Technology® systems feature an industry-leading level of resilience, functionality and build-quality, whilst the lower-tier Commercial and Commercial Multi-Site solutions still include the latest radio technology. The tiered approach helps customers choose a solution which fits their budget, and makes it clear what impact their purchasing decisions could have on system performance, resilience and safety.

Some rugged and semi-rugged device manufacturers build longevity into devices by using high tolerance components, which deliver increased stability over prolonged periods of time and ensures that the end user’s computing experience is as good for the duration of the devices deployable life, meaning there is very little performance degradation.

Warranties are another way to safeguard equipment. For example, some providers like Getac offer warranties of three to five years, which can be extended up to seven years so when it comes to refreshes, organisations can continue to use their assets.

Jackson White, Getac UK
Jackson White is business development director at Getac UK where he is responsible for growing the organisation’s defence, security and first responder customer base. After joining the Royal Corps of Signals at 16, where he looked after general communication systems, Jackson supported Special Forces operations for 10 years. He then moved into the corporate world where he oversaw future technologies and innovation for video surveillance and communications systems organisations.

Final thoughts: “Procurement teams are under pressure to deliver the latest technologies with tighter budgets, so it’s essential that they adopt a strategy that not only looks to new technologies as budget allows, but that ensures assets are set up to perform to maximum throughout their lifecycle.”

Nick Paris, Roadphone NRB
Nick Paris is one of the radio industry’s most experienced system designers. Nick has designed, installed and supported systems using a wide range of technologies, from conventional analogue, MPT1327, DMR Tier II and Tier III solutions. His installation experience includes large skyscrapers in London’s financial district and nuclear power stations. He also sits on OFCOM’s technical advisory group, and has pioneered the design and specification of Endurance Technology®.

Final thoughts: “When considering an upgrade to technology systems, it’s important to ensure that safety and functionality is improved, and not lost in the face of budgetary cuts. In the case of two-way radios, you need to choose an experienced partner such as Roadphone NRB who can advise how the right combination of technology can add features and resilience to improve the experience for end users, efficiency and ultimately safety.”

Simon Hill, Excelerate Group
Simon Hill is an experienced technical director at Excelerate Technology Ltd, with a demonstrated history of working in the telecommunications industry. Simon is skilled in service delivery, technical support, mobile communications, Radio Frequency (RF) and VSAT.

Final thoughts: “To ensure that the response to critical incidents and civil emergencies is as effective as it possible, the communications infrastructure and equipment in place needs to be resilient and capable of handling the vast amount of information captured during the course of incident resolution. It is also essential that sensitive and confidential information is transmitted securely.”

Partners

View the latest
digital issue