TETRA  |   LTE  |   P25  |  2018-08-08

Bittium Experience Slow Growth for LTE-based Devices in Public Safety Markets

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

In the half year financial report January-June 2018, Bittium says that LTE-SAT-hybrid devices with terrestrial and satellite connections has grown to further improve the functionality of authorities’ critical connections.

According to Bittium, in its latest half year financial report January-June 2018, the use of LTE technology, smartphones and applications continues to increase in special verticals such as public safety creating demand for Bittium Tough Mobile secure LTE smartphone and other customized special terminals based on Bittium’s own product platform.

The awareness of mobile security risks is growing and the interest towards secure mobile devices is increasing. Also the interest towards LTE-SAT-hybrid devices with terrestrial and satellite connections has grown to further improve the functionality of authorities’ critical connections.

The implementation of LTE-based devices in Public Safety markets has been slower than expected due to the delay of the device functionalities required by the authorities and due to the slow progress of the market. The sale of the secure terminal products is expected to develop moderately according to the nature of public safety markets.

Recently in March 2018, Bittium exhibited Bittium Tough Mobile, secure LTE smartphone, and innovative Bittium Tough Mobile HybridX extension at the British APCO exhibition for authorities in Coventry, United Kingdom. The new Bittium Tough Mobile HybridX extension gives Bittium Tough Mobile a new user interface and functionalities that are very useful in demanding Public Safety use. Bittium Tough Mobile HybridX extension combines the secure Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone with a functional HybridX accessory.

The HybridX accessory is integrated to the Bittium Tough Mobile and is connected to a PMR (Private Mobile Radio) device, such as TETRA or P25.