Omdia Crit Comms Circle

In this episode, we explore the role of AI in enhancing critical communication systems, particularly in high-stakes environments like public safety, emergency services, defense, and industrial operations. Clear, accurate, and fast communication in these sectors can often be the difference between life and death. Traditionally, these communication systems have relied on human operators and technology that can struggle in chaotic environments, leading to errors or delays. However, AI is revolutionizing this space, particularly in audio and voice applications.

Our focus today is on noise reduction AI, which isolates human speech from noisy environments, ensuring vital messages are heard and acted upon without delay. To give our listeners a clearer idea of how AI can enhance communications, we include real audio examples demonstrating the difference between noisy and AI-enhanced speech.

Joining us is our special guest, Mette Carstensen, CEO and co-founder of Augmented Hearing. Mette brings deep expertise in AI-powered noise reduction, with a background in biomedical engineering and psychoacoustics. She provides valuable insights into how AI can reduce noise in critical communications, allowing professionals in high-pressure environments to perform more efficiently.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How AI-powered noise reduction filters out background noise and enhances speech intelligibility.
• Real-world examples of AI-enhanced audio clips to illustrate the technology's impact.
• The role of Edge AI in critical communications, offering fast, on-premises processing without the need for cloud systems.
• Applications of AI in emergency call centers (e.g., reducing stress for 112/911/999 call-takers).
• Future potential for AI in consumer and professional environments.

Visit Augmented Hearing’s Website for more information.
Follow Augmented Hearing on LinkedIn for updates: LinkedIn Page.

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In this episode, we discuss the results from the 2024 Emerging Critical Tech & Innovation Survey conducted by Omdia, in partnership with IWCE (https://iwceexpo.com/)

This survey, which gathered insights from both end users and vendors in the critical communications industry, sheds light on how technology such as AI, IoT, 5G, and more are impacting this rapidly evolving sector.We explore key topics such as:

• The state of emerging technologies in critical communications as of 2023
• How vendors and end users are approaching new technologies, and the differences in their perspectives
• Future potential technologies, including video analytics, rapid deployment solutions, and cybersecurity
• The budget constraints and sales targets from both sides of the industry
• The importance of bridging the gap between traditional LMR (Land Mobile Radio) systems and newer broadband technologies

Key Takeaways:

1. LMR remains the backbone of critical communications, but emerging technologies like 5G, AI, and IoT are starting to reshape the landscape.
2. There is a significant difference between vendor sales targets and end user budgets, with vendors projecting more aggressive growth in 2024 than end users.
3. The survey highlights the importance of understanding the nuances between different user groups, including public safety, utilities, transportation, and mission-critical operators.
4. Video analytics, connected vehicles, and rapid deployment technologies are among the emerging solutions gaining traction.
5. Cybersecurity remains a top priority, and the industry is in various stages of adoption, with end users evaluating and piloting new technologies like AI and IoT.

**The full survey report will be available October 2024. Check back on this page for a link to download the summary report.**


Thank You to Our Listeners!

This survey wouldn’t have been possible without the participation of our community. We invite you to check out the results and stay tuned for our 2025 survey—make sure your voice is heard!

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In this episode, we touch on how public safety's adoption of technology differs from enterprise segments, before diving into the world of Next Generation 911, or NG911, and its transformative impact on public safety communications.

To help us with these two, intertwined topics, we are joined by Phil Rotheram. Phil is the Head of Strategic Sales at Atos Public Safety, and the current Chair of the NG911 Interoperability Task Force’s Financial Committee. He has more than 30 years of experience, with a deep and broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing emergency communications in the digital age we find ourselves in.

My key takeaways from this episode:

• Public Safety Technology Adoption vs. Enterprise: The adoption of technology in public safety, specifically 911 communications, lags behind the enterprise sector. Public safety systems often use outdated technology, while the enterprise sector frequently updates its systems.
• Legacy Systems and Challenges: Many public safety systems still use old technologies from legacy telephone companies, which haven't evolved with modern advancements like smartphones. There are challenges in replacing these systems, especially in regions with limited funding.
• Cloud Adoption in Public Safety: There's a significant difference in cloud adoption between public safety and enterprise sectors. While public safety is slowly adopting cloud-based solutions, there are concerns about security and a reluctance to move away from physical systems.
• Next Generation 911 (NG911): NG911 represents a significant upgrade from traditional 911 systems, moving to IP-based systems that can handle voice, text, video, and data. The transition to NG911 is necessary but challenging due to funding and technical issues.
• Interoperability and Standards: There's a critical need for interoperability and standardization in public safety communications systems. The NG911 Interoperability Task Force aims to ensure systems meet standards and work together effectively.
• Funding and Implementation Challenges: Funding is a major barrier to implementing NG911 and upgrading public safety technologies. Smaller states and counties struggle with the costs, and there's a need for consistent funding and support.
• Industry Awareness and User Confidence: There's a need for better understanding and communication within the industry regarding new technologies, like cloud solutions. Public safety practitioners should not fear adopting new technologies, as they offer significant improvements.

Thanks again to Phil Rotheram for joining us to talk about these topics. Connect with Phil on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philrotheram/

Find out more about Atos Public Safety here: https://atos.net/en/solutions/command-control-systems/public-safety

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In this episode, we talk about broadband innovations in the world of TETRA. We discuss the recent innovation from Motorola Solutions, specifically the launch of the DIMETRA Connect solution along with the MXP660 TETRA radio, and how these technologies are enhancing critical communications.

We're joined by 2 special guests from Motorola Solutions:

• Katja Millard, Corporate Vice President of Critical Communication Networks
• Stuart Longley, the TETRA device portfolio product leader.

Key Takeaways include:

• TETRA's proven reliability from decades of relaibly serving the needs of mission critical communications. But TETRA continues to adapt and evolve to meet modern needs.
• Introducing DIMETRA Connect and the MXP660 radio - how these innovative technologies integrate TETRA with broadband technologies to enhance communication reliability and coverage.
• Benefits of hybrid communication solutions - the advantage of combining TERA and broadband in a seamless manner.

My personal highlights include Katja and Stuart sharing their insights into the design and strategic thinking behind DIMETRA Connect and the MXP660, as well as the discussion around the importance of indoor and dense urban area coverage. Really good to see the ability to leverage Wi-Fi, broadband and TETRA on one device for seamless voice communication.

Visit Motorola Solutions for more information on DIMETRA Connect and the MXP660 radio discussed in this episode.

Download the latest TETRA Terminals report, exclusive to Omdia subscribers, on the Omdia website: TETRA Terminals – 2024 Analysis.

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In this episode, we delve into the Global Certification Forum's (GCF) recent launch of the Mission Critical Services (MCS) certification program. Specifically, we learn a little more about its certification program and how it differs with other testing alternatives, what different stakeholders need to do regarding Mission Critical Push-to-Talk certification, whether you are a customer or end-user, a vendor, or even involved in the regulatory side of the space.

We are joined by Dr. Fidel Liberal, a well-recognized expert in Mission Critical communications. He works as professor yin the University of the Basque Country where he leads different mission critical communications and 5G related R&D projects. Among others, he is the coordinator of the Mission Critical Open Platform (MCOP) and leads the MCS TaaSting project, aimed at providing flexible testing as a service mechanisms for MCS certification. As a result of his intense advocacy activity in Mission Critical communications, he is involved with most relevant stakeholders in the sector including TCCA, NIST/PSCR, EENA, PSCE, and standardization and certification bodies such as ITU-T, 3GPP, ETSI and GCF.

My key takeaways from this episode:

• Certification Importance and Impact: The certification is a significant advancement for the mission-critical industry, promoting a healthier, more open, and interoperable ecosystem. It represents a major step in establishing standards-based solutions and compliance with 3GPP standards, ensuring that mission-critical solutions are reliable and meet high-quality standards.
• Certification Process Overview: The process set by GCF for certification involves technical evaluations using a specific testing platform and adherence to a harmonized set of test cases accepted by the industry. This ensures that MCS clients and devices comply with the required standards and that the certification is recognized industry-wide.
• Stakeholder Responsibilities: Different stakeholders, including vendors, customers, and regulatory bodies, have specific roles in adopting and implementing the certification standards. Vendors must ensure their products are certified, while customers should verify that vendors have the necessary certifications when making purchasing decisions.
• Industry Adoption and Future Plans: The certification is the first step toward broader compliance and standardization in mission-critical services, with future plans to include additional components like MC data and MC video. The ongoing development aims to enhance interoperability and compliance across the industry, ultimately supporting a multi-vendor ecosystem.

Want to learn more about how to get your product certified? Check out the upcoming GCF MCX Certification Programme Overview webinar on July 9th 14:00 - 15:00 BST.
iRegister here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/ae800e0d-7f33-4064-8f11-3cd1a650ca61@ebb485f7-c7f5-4d73-b3ca-f8b6328be0e5



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In this episode, we delve into eMBMS (evolved multimedia broadcast multicast service), focusing on its applications within nationwide broadband communication networks, particularly for emergency and public safety use.

We are joined by Peter Clemons, an expert in critical communications, who discusses how eMBMS bridges the gap between traditional broadcast and unicast technologies, offering efficient, synchronized group communications vital for public safety scenarios.

Peter highlights the transition from older systems like TETRA to broadband solutions, emphasizing eMBMS's role in enhancing spectrum and energy efficiency. He explains the technical components of eMBMS, and its implementation on devices enabled at the chipset level by major suppliers.

The discussion also touches on real-world applications and deployments, like the SafeNet project in Korea and public safety networks in Spain, illustrating eMBMS's effectiveness and the ongoing standard developments in 3GPP, ensuring its relevance in future 5G and 6G environments. 

Key takeaways from this episode include:

1. Efficient Communication for Public Safety: eMBMS provides an efficient solution for broadcasting to multiple users simultaneously, which is crucial for emergency and public safety communications. This efficiency is particularly vital in situations where quick and synchronized communication can affect outcomes, such as in emergency responses.
2. Transition from Legacy Systems: The discussion highlighted the transition from traditional multicast systems like TETRA to more advanced broadband technologies that incorporate eMBMS. This shift is essential for modernizing public safety networks to leverage broader and more reliable communication capabilities.
3. Technical Components and Implementation: Key technical aspects of eMBMS were explained, such as the roles of the Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BMSC), mbms Gateway, and Multi-cell Multicast Coordination Entity (MCE) within the network. The implementation on devices is supported at the chipset level by major manufacturers, ensuring wide compatibility and support.
4. Real-world Applications and Deployments: The episode covered examples of eMBMS in action, like the SafeNet project in Korea and new deployments in Spain, showing its practical benefits and the growing adoption in public safety networks globally.
5. Future Outlook and 3GPP Developments: Ongoing developments in 3GPP standards for eMBMS to support upcoming network generations like 5G and 6G were discussed. The future of eMBMS looks promising with continual enhancements that will further integrate it into public safety and critical communication networks.
6. Critical Role in Future Networks: The conversation underlined eMBMS's pivotal role in future communication networks, emphasizing the need for continued development and standardization to ensure it meets the evolving demands of public safety communications.

Want to know more about this topic?
Check out the Whitepaper "Delivering Critical Communications at Scale" from ENENSYS Technologies here: https://www.enensys.com/knowledge/delivering-critical-communications-at-scale/

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As the critical communications industry continues to evolve towards the world of MCX and NG911/112, the potential complexities for end users to be able toleverage these technologies continues to increase. Are strategic partnerships between companies the secret to overcoming these in future mission critical networks?


In this episode, we are talking about the exclusive partnership agreement signed between Frequentis and Tait Communications, which allows Tait access to LifeX console platform technology.

We dive deep into what this partnership means for both companies, and hear from both sides of the partnership, with a representative from both Frequentis and Tait.
We are joined by:

• Manuel Hintermayr, Director of Public Safety Solutions and Sales at Frequentis
• Kevin Sumrell, President of Tait Americas

The Frequentis LifeX platform, used broadly through many countries, represents a potentially disruptive approach for the North American market, as it seamlessly integrates various mission critical communication technologies, including Analog and P25, while also accomodating DMR, MCX, 911 and NG911 in the future. 

Both Frequentis and Tait will be attending APCO 2024, being held this year on 4-7th August in Orlandof, Florida.

Find out more about each company here:
Frequentis: https://www.frequentis.com/
Tait Communications: https://www.taitcommunications.com/

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In this episode, we cover some of the many highlights from the EENA 2024 Conference and Exhibition that was held in Valencia, SPain from the 24th to th 26th April 2024. We are joined by EENA's Public Affairs Director, Benoit Vivier, who is plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of the EENA conference year on year. And this year was certainly no exception, with the event's highest attendance, a packed conference schedule and a busy exhibition hall to boot!

We focus in on 3 shared highlights:

1. The opening session: Focused on the setup of the 112 system in Ukraine during wartime, showcasing the implementation of a modern emergency response system under challenging conditions.
2. The EENA Special Project: The AI special project by EENA aims to test AI applications in emergency call centers across multiple countries, with results expected by the end of the year.
3. EU AI Act: Benoit discussed the implications of the EU AI Act, which is the first legislation of its kind globally, emphasizing a risk-based approach to ensure ethical AI use. High-risk AI systems used in emergency services must comply with stringent regulations.

Find out more about the EENA 2024 conference, along with the open access conference materials, here: https://eenaconference.org/eena-2024/

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In this episode, we share an exclusive preview of the Critical Communications World (CCW) 2024 event in Dubai happening 14-16th May 2024. This episode features in-depth discussions with leading experts Dr. Hamad Khalifa Alnuaimi, a leader in critical communications in the Middle East, currently managing the telecommunication operations at Abu Dhabi Police General HQ, and Tero Pesonen, Chairman of TCCA’s Critical Communications Broadband Group (CCBG).

We talk about the critical importance of advanced communication technologies in public safety and industry, dive into the discussions about the event's themes, the challenges in critical communications, and the technologies that are shaping the future of safety and connectivity.

Find out more about the Critical Communications World (CCW) event here: https://www.critical-communications-world.com

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

1. Overview of CCW 2024: Insights into what to expect at the Critical Communications World 2024 event in Dubai, including key themes and objectives.
2. The Importance of Critical Communications: Discussion on how critical communications serve as the lifeline for society and industry, focusing on public safety, utilities, and other essential services.
3. Expert Insights:
   • Dr. Hamad Khalifa talks about the role of telecommunications in managing major public events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
   • Tarot Personan discusses the collaborative efforts needed to advance critical communications technology globally.
4. Technological Innovations: Explore the latest innovations in critical communications technology and their impact on industry practices.
5. Global Cooperation: The necessity of global cooperation and standardization in enhancing safety and efficiency across various sectors.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode enlightening. Share it with colleagues who might also benefit from understanding the vast landscape of critical communications as we head towards CCW 2024.


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In this episode, we listen in to a live recorded session from IWCE 2024 on the topic of transitioning to NG911 capabilities, what PSAPs need to upgrade.

The session featured an all-star panel consisting of Jeremy Hill, CPE , 9-1-1 Program Specialist and Public Safety Advisor at the NTIA Office of Public Safety Communications; Fabricio Velez , Director of Interoperability and Industry Standards at INdigital; and Steven Raucher , CEO at RapidDeploy.
In my absence due to last minute illness, the session was ably chaired by Chris Moore from Comcast.

The session touches on how the major requirements for NG911 can be met, as well as where the opportunities and key application areas are for public safety agencies.

Get the IWCE DIgital Pass
IWCE 2024 has come to an end now, but welcomed more than 3,800 members of the mission and business critical communities. The show saw 4 days pakced full of conference sessions, with more than 115 hours of content across panels, keynote speakers, and presentations from the Emerging Tech & Innovation Theatre.

If you want to access all of the recordings from the event itself, the IWCE Digital Pass is now available. These recordings are available through to June 28th 2024, so sign up now to make the most of these asessions while available.

Find out more about the WICE DIgital Pass here:https://iwce.informatech.com/2024/index/registrations/

If you were there in-person at IWCE, you have access to all of the recordings as part of your pass. These can be found here: https://attend.informatechevents.virtual.informatech.com/c/iwce-events


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