But Band 68 progress is tangible in several national markets across Europe
Annual spending on public safety LTE/5G infrastructure and devices in Europe reached nearly $900 million in 2023, driven by advances in national-scale Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) broadband projects such as France’s Radio Network of the Future, Italy’s public safety LTE service, Spain’s SIRDEE broadband network, Finland’s VIRVE 2.0 broadband service and Sweden’s Rakel G2 secure broadband system.
According to analysts SNS Telecom & IT’s latest “Public Safety LTE & 5G Market: 2023 – 2030” report, the advances were complemented by an expanding ecosystem of public safety-grade LTE/5G devices, the market will further grow at a CAGR of 11% over the next three years, eventually accounting for more than $1.2 billion by the end of 2026.
Despite the positive outlook, SNS found that lack of a Device-to-Device (D2D) communications capability still plagued market growth. The ProSe (Proximity Services) chipset ecosystem failed to materialize in the LTE era due to limited support from chipmakers and terminal OEMs. However, the 5G NR sidelink interface offers a clean slate opportunity to introduce direct mode D2D communications for public safety broadband users, as well as coverage expansion in both on-network and off-network scenarios using UE-to-network and UE-to-UE relays respectively.
Recent demonstrations of 5G NR sidelink-enabled MCX services – such as the successful completion of interoperability testing by Qualcomm, Softil and Alea (Leonardo) at the most recent ETSI Plugtest in Malaga, Spain have renewed confidence in 3GPP technology for direct mode communications.
Band on the RAN
Until recently, another barrier impeding the market was the non-availability of cost-optimised RAN equipment and terminals that support operation in spectrum reserved for PPDR communications – most notably Band 68 (698-703 / 753-758MHz), which has been allocated for PPDR broadband systems in several national markets across Europe, including France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Italy, Estonia, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
SNS said other countries such as Greece, Hungary, Romania, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands and Belgium are also expected to make this assignment. Since the beginning of 2023, multiple suppliers – including Ericsson, Nokia, Teltronic and CROSSCALL – have introduced support for Band 68.
Country activity breakdowns
Britain’s planned transition from the Airwave TETRA network to the 3GPP-based ESN (Emergency Service Network) has been hampered by a series of delays. Following the withdrawal of the ESN’s user services provider Motorola Solutions, the Home Office is due to award a $1.1 billion contract to a new supplier for the provision of a 3GPP-compliant Mission-Critical PTT, Video & Data solution, dual-mode 4G/5G standalone mobile core infrastructure and end-to-end system integration.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), which manages its own TETRA-based radio communications network, is considering plans for the deployment of a public safety broadband network using Band 28 (700MHz) and 800/900MHz spectrum. Regulator Ofcom is yet to decide the allocation of the proposed spectrum bands to the PSNI.
Olympic efforts
The incremental rollout of France’s RRF Radio Network of the Future (RRF) kick-off with the creation of the network’s operating Agency for Operational Security & Rescue Mobile Communications and the activation of core network servers. The nationwide public safety broadband network – which will initially serve territories hosting the 2024 Olympics – will be built on a dedicated core network, RAN coverage from commercial mobile operators with priority pre-emption on and national roaming, state-owned 700MHz RAN infrastructure in strategic locations, and rapidly deployable tactical bubbles pioneered by the PCSTORM project.
As part of the High Connectivity via 5G project, Toulouse Métropole has deployed a multi-service private 5G network for municipal services, including public safety use cases such as group communications for police officers, firefighters and paramedics during major public events such as the Rugby World Cup 2023 and real-time analysis of video streams to improve security.
Hybrid solution
Germany’s Federal Agency for Public Safety Digital Radio plans to deploy a hybrid broadband network for German Public Safety Organizations using dedicated sub-1GHz spectrum. The federal agency has also set up a broadband development environment, which features LTE and 5G campus network infrastructure in both stationary and mobile variants as well as support for MCX services and interworking with TETRA. In addition, multiple first responder agencies are independently evaluating the use of portable 5G Non-Public Networks – operating in 3.7-3.8GHz local area licensed spectrum – to enable emergency personnel to communicate with each other and control unmanned firefighting vehicles, reconnaissance robots and drones.
As part of the Deployable Cellular Networks (ZNV) program, the German Armed Forces has adopted a rapidly deployable cellular network solution that supports mission-critical voice and narrowband data transmission via the TETRA standard and broadband applications using LTE technology and is interoperable with the BOS TETRA network.
Belgian MVNO
Among other efforts to evolve the Blue Light Mobile secure MVNO service, Belgian government-owned critical communications service provider ASTRID has activated 5G connectivity for all of the end users of the service and is considering the deployment of complementary 4G/5G RAN infrastructure to fill in coverage gaps that are not sufficiently served by commercial mobile operator networks, as well as for specialized scenarios such as air-to-ground communications.
Also in Belgium, Citymesh has introduced a network of 5G-connected drones in 35 emergency zones across the country to enhance situational awareness for police departments, fire brigades and other first responder agencies. The adoption of the solution follows a series of successful pilot products using both public and private cellular connectivity.
Italian hybrid
The Italian Ministry of Interior has awarded Telecom Italia Mobile a three-year contract for the provision of a public safety LTE service supporting MCPTT voice, mobile video surveillance, database access and other critical broadband applications in the territory of 11 provinces. The service leverages a hybrid government-commercial network architecture, including RAN equipment operating in dedicated frequencies made available by the Ministry of Defence.
Telefónica chosen
The Spanish Ministry of Interior has contracted Telefónica to deploy and operate its SIRDEE nationwide mission-critical broadband network using a combination of Band 31 (450MHz) and Band 28/68 (700MHz) spectrum. The Zaragoza Fire Department has been using a portable private LTE network – operating in Band 68 (700MHz) – for image transmission from drones to command posts in support of search and rescue operations. Commercial and small-scale private 5G networks are also being utilized by national and local government agencies, including Guardia Civil (Spanish Civil Guard), Málaga Local Police, Guàrdia Urbana de Barcelona (Barcelona Urban Guard) and Bombers de Barcelona (Barcelona Fire Service).
Dutch options and Swiss increments
As part of the National Public Order & Security Architecture project, Dutch authorities are evaluating possible options for the development of a national mission-critical broadband service. Multiple service providers already offer specialized broadband connectivity solutions for first responders. A noteworthy example is Lyfo’s network selection technology that automatically switches between all available 4G/5G mobile networks for optimal coverage in locations such as near land borders, on open waters, or in rural and remote areas.
Switzerland’s Federal Office for Civil Protection (BABS/FOCP) is coordinating a pilot project and proof-of-concept field trials for the country’s nationwide Secure Mobile Broadband Communications system. Two Swiss service providers – Swisscom and BLUnet Schweiz (Axpo WZ-Systems) – offer secure MVNO services to first responders with QPP (QoS, Priority & Pre-emption) over commercial mobile broadband networks.
Scandi solutions
Sweden’s Civil Contingencies Agency and Transport Administration (Trafikverket) are preparing an expansion of the Rakel G2 secure broadband communications system using an incremental rollout of government-owned RAN infrastructure operating in dedicated 700MHz spectrum, with an aim to provide coverage in areas not sufficiently served by commercial mobile networks.
In addition, state-owned telecommunications service provider Teracom is building a 5G-ready air-to-ground-to-air network – using its high-mast infrastructure and Band 40 (2.3GHz) spectrum assets – to provide aerial coverage for critical communications across 96% of Sweden’s surface area.
Erillisverkot (State Security Networks Group) has made significant progress on the VIRVE 2.0 mission-critical broadband service by deploying a dedicated core network and integrating it with commercial mobile operator Elisa’s 4G/5G RAN infrastructure – using the MOCN (Multi-Operator Core Network) model – to deliver prioritised mobile broadband connectivity to Finnish PPDR users.
The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection is conducting a market dialogue to seek input related to a possible system for MCX services in Nytt Nødnett – a new 3GPP-based solution for emergency and preparedness communications that will replace the country’s existing TETRA-based Nødnett network.
Tampnet – which already provides service to FirstNet subscribers in the Gulf of Mexico – is proposing to leverage its offshore 4G/5G-ready infrastructure assets to establish a common pan-European PSN (Public Safety Network) in the North Sea. Norway’s DSB and other stakeholders have shown a significant interest in the proposal.
Government push
Hungarian government communications service provider Pro-M plans to deploy its EDR 2.0/3.0 broadband network using Band 28 (700MHz) spectrum for nationwide coverage and Band 40 (2.3GHz) spectrum for capacity expansion in large cities and strategic locations. Pro-M is also implementing a disaster-resilient mobile network for 5G-based PPDR communications along the 136.7-kilometre Hungarian-Ukrainian border, where broadband coverage is currently not available.