Broadband Communications for Public Safety and Security

Mission-critical mobile communication of Public Safety & Security organizations in Germany will continue to be based on the proven TETRA Network at least until the end of the 2020s. TETRA guarantees almost complete coverage in Germany and in other EU-countries. However, TETRA Networks can only transmit narrowband data (essentially voice and short messages) – their technology is comparable to GSM, formerly used in commercial mobile radio networks.

Regardless of the radio technology used, broadband connectivity of the mission forces to their Command & Control Centers (CCC) is becoming increasingly important. For the use of specific APPs, video transmission or access to central databases, broadband data transmission using 4G/LTE/5G enables more efficient operations. Standard cellular terminals can be used e.g. for transmitting real-time videos from the scene to the CCC, for digitizing operational documentation and for using AI-based software applications.
For this purpose, in Germany and most other EU countries, smartphones and other cellular terminals have been used by the Public Safety & Security organizations for years.
As there is no dedicated governmental broadband cellular network available, commercial cellular networks have to be used for this purpose. The main problems for the authorities are the inadequate reliability and network hardening (remaining time in the event of a blackout only approx. 4 hours) and the lack of nationwide full coverage and availability. Furthermore, commercial cellular networks are quickly congested during major events and the associated concentration of users in a radio cell.

One solution to the problem described above are “Cells-on-Wheels”, i.e. mobile, “deployable” 4G-/5G-radio cells that operate in frequency ranges reserved for the authorities. These cells can be moved to any location and put into operation in just a few minutes. As a supplement to commercial cellular networks, Cells-on-Wheels are an economical and operationally practical solution for absolute availability and thus ensuring connectivity at any time at any geographical location.

VITES offers a corresponding field-tested and energy self-sufficient complete solution: vikomobil 2.0

vikomobil 2.0 – the Cell-on-Wheels for civil protection and public safety integrates several communication technologies to ensure broadband data communication for the mission forces even if the public and governmental networks are congested, disrupted or destroyed. In the operational area, the mission forces can log into the radio cell provided by vikomobil 2.0 using their official smartphones or other mobile radio terminals.

The vikomobil 2.0 is designed as a vehicle trailer and is primarily aimed at Public Safety & Security / Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) authorities and organizations. A complete cellular network (4G-LTE or 5G) is integrated, consisting of a radio base station (eNodeB / gNodeB) and the associated mobile radio core.
The radio cell ensures the connectivity of the PPDR smartphones and terminals, even if the commercial mobile networks are not available. The integrated SATCOM terminal (GEO or LEO) ensures connectivity of the vikomobil 2.0 to CCCs at all times.
Thanks to the modular design of the vikomobil 2.0, other radio technologies (such as TETRA) and other customer-specific systems and applications can be integrated with little effort. The integrated methanol fuel cell ensures energy self-sufficient operation for several weeks.

The vikomobil 2.0 is designed for all emergency response scenarios, for major events and for public safety applications. Whenever broadband connectivity (LTE/5G, SATCOM) is required in the operational area and from there to a remote CCC, this can be provided quickly, efficiently and economically with the help of the vikomobil 2.0.

The advantages of the vikomobil 2.0 come into play, in particular when a public communication infrastructure is not available, overloaded, unreliable or destroyed. This is typically the case in major emergencies such as major fires, floodings and earthquakes. However, public networks are also congested during major local sporting and cultural events, demonstrations and other large-scale public safety operations.

In the latter case in particular, video recording of the situation and, if necessary, the identification of aggressors is becoming increasingly important. The monitoring of critical infrastructures is another use case. In all of these scenarios, the vikomobil 2.0 has another major operational advantage: the integrated direct methanol fuel cell allows the self-sufficient operation for several weeks without generating noise or harmful exhaust fumes. As a result, the vikomobil does not disturb anyone and remains inconspicuous. The running time should be sufficient for most applications but can be extended by replacing the methanol cartridges. Alternatively, there is enough time to provide other energy sources for external power supply.

Due to the relatively low permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW) of approx. 1.5 t, mid-range cars or SUVs are suitable as towing vehicles, thus achieving a high level of mobility. It is therefore not necessary to use command vehicles, as the vikomobil 2.0 can practically always be carried without incurring additional costs. In contrast to a command vehicle, the vikomobil 2.0 can also be left autonomously at the scene for longer observation of a situation. By keeping several vikomobil 2.0s available in the regional area of responsibility of the respective authority, a high level of operational flexibility is achieved and at the same time important and expensive other resources are not tied up.

The vikomobil 2.0 integrates a mobile radio cell and a SATCOM terminal. The latter can be a classic self-aligning GEO terminal, but depending on customer requirements, user terminals for LEO constellations can also be scaffolded, e.g. from the ViSAT product family from VITES. With Eutelsat-OneWeb, there is already a European satellite constellation that can be used for governmental communication. Furthermore, the EU constellation IRIS2 is currently being developed. With the help of SATCOM connectivity, the connection to mobile and central CCCs is ensured at all times.
Thanks to intelligent SATCOM tariff models, organizations with smaller budgets can also benefit from SATCOM connectivity. Our partner IABG-Teleport provides corresponding models.

Please contact us if you are interested in a technical presentation at your premises or if you would like a quote for a purchase solution individually designed for your requirements!

ViCell combines the available 4G(LTE)/5G network technology for mobile (“deployable”) or stationary (campus networks) radio cells. VITES configures and assembles network technology from European network equipment suppliers and installs it in vehicles or at fixed locations.

The minimum configuration consists of a base station (eNodeB / gNodeB), an EPC server with corresponding software (Evolved Packet Core) and, if necessary, backhaul radio technology or line equipment. 

eNodeBs / gNodeBs of various categories, performance classes and frequencies are available. 19″ servers are used as EPC servers. We are happy to prepare individual offers based on the requirements of our customers.

Radio heads for the following bands are available as standard for Public Safety & Security applications:

Radio equipment can be provided for all other common bands (incl. 5G), please enquire.

4G/5G cellular networks, whether as a “cell on wheels” in vikomobil 2.0 for public safety & security or as a CAMPUS network for authorities or industry, place high demands on flexibility and user-friendliness when it comes to the secure connection of subscribers. The eSIMonAIR solution from VITES is certified in accordance with the GSMA SAS standard and ensures that subscriber and access data are stored on servers in Germany.  

Do you need eSIM profiles for your consumer devices (GSMA SGP .21/22) or IoT devices (GSMA SGP .31/32)?

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We will show you how you can switch to eSIM quickly and easily!