How Germany’s Public Safety Authorities Will Communicate Tomorrow

From mission-critical voice to broadband-enabled operations: a shared national vision for the future of BOS communications.

Today, BOS authorities formally published their Broadband BOS storyline, setting out a shared federal–state vision for the evolution of public safety communications in Germany; the following takeaways highlight the key strategic directions and implications for the future of mission-critical and police communications.

Public safety communications in Germany are entering a decisive phase. Recent strategic work by federal and state stakeholders outlines how police, fire services, and emergency responders will transition from today’s narrowband digital radio to a future-proof broadband environment—without compromising reliability, security, or nationwide interoperability.

At the heart of this development is a shared understanding: communication systems for public safety authorities and organizations (BOS) must evolve in line with operational realities and technological progress, while preserving the strengths that have defined Germany’s digital radio landscape for nearly two decades.

A joint federal–state vision

Questions around broadband BOS digital radio are becoming increasingly prominent among decision-makers and operational leaders. Expectations vary. Some see broadband as a complement to the existing TETRA-based system, combining modern data services with proven mission-critical voice. Others view it as a long-term replacement, based on standardized mobile communications technologies.

What unites these perspectives is the common objective of a reliable, secure, and sustainable national network for public safety use. To articulate this path, the federal government and the 16 BundesLänder have agreed on a Broadband BOS storyline, defining a shared vision toward a future BOS-owned broadband network.

This vision is shaped through extensive committee work involving the Federal Agency for Public Safety Digital Radio (BDBOS), the federal government, and the states. While Germany’s federal structure can add complexity, it also ensures that the needs of all public safety organizations are represented. The guiding principle remains a single, nationwide network that can be used uniformly by all BOS users.

Building on a proven foundation

Since its establishment in 2007, BDBOS has acted as the central link between federal and state requirements. Together with its subsidiary ALDB, it operates what has become the world’s largest TETRA network supplied by Aribus Public Safety and Security. The current BOS digital radio system is characterized by extensive redundancy and near-complete nationwide coverage, including in buildings, aircraft, and remote regions.

However, the technological foundations of TETRA are rooted in second-generation mobile communications. The system was designed primarily for secure group voice communication and limited data transmission—reflecting a very different era of mobile technology. In contrast, commercial networks have progressed to 5G, with research already underway on the next generation.

Combining reliability and innovation

Voice communication remains mission-critical for emergency operations, and status messaging is essential for coordination and command. At the same time, many responders already rely on smartphones connected to commercial networks, benefiting from data-rich applications that support situational awareness and operational efficiency.

The challenge identified in the Broadband BOS storyline is to combine the strengths of both worlds: the reliability and group communication capabilities of TETRA with the flexibility and data services of broadband. This requires a carefully managed transition that maintains trusted communication patterns while introducing new capabilities.

Target visions as milestones

To support this transition, a joint federal–state working group has defined a phased model, translated into concrete target visions aligned with specific timeframes. These target visions act as benchmarks, highlighting which optimization dimensions are prioritized at each stage.

The storyline emphasizes knowledge building as a foundation: engaging experts, analyzing markets, and collecting operational requirements. While modern mobile standards already address many BOS needs, key requirements—such as guaranteed, prioritized, and potentially overriding group communication—have not traditionally been part of commercial network offerings.

Toward a unified communication platform

One central target vision is the creation of a unified communication platform. The defining characteristic of BOS digital radio has always been seamless communication across organizations and devices. In the broadband context, this means enabling access via multiple networks while preserving platform-independent group communication.

During the transition period, interoperability between TETRA and broadband technologies will be essential. Joint group calls across devices and networks must be possible, even as external interfaces are introduced for the first time in an environment that was historically closed. This expansion must occur without compromising core security principles such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Availability, prioritization, and resilience

Network availability remains a critical requirement. The existing BOS network sets a benchmark that commercial networks cannot yet fully match. As a result, future solutions will need to leverage all available access networks to ensure coverage in challenging environments, from dense urban buildings to rural and airborne operations.

With multi-network access comes the issue of prioritization. Shared use of commercial infrastructure can lead to congestion, particularly during major events. Clear prioritization mechanisms are therefore essential to ensure that emergency communications retain precedence—digitally, just as emergency vehicles do on the road.

Digital sovereignty and resilience form another cornerstone of the strategy. Reliance on third-party infrastructure based on “best effort” principles is insufficient for mission-critical operations. Power outages, cyber incidents, or large-scale crises must not disrupt emergency communications. The storyline acknowledges that different approaches—from owning infrastructure to selectively using third-party networks—represent trade-offs between control, cost, and operational risk.

A controlled path beyond TETRA

The eventual replacement of TETRA will only occur once future networks demonstrably meet the full range of BOS requirements. Until then, the existing digital radio system will continue to provide highly available and crisis-resistant communications nationwide.

Taken together, the Broadband BOS storyline presents a structured and transparent roadmap. It reflects a pragmatic approach: preserving what works, integrating what is necessary, and preparing Germany’s public safety authorities—particularly police forces—for a future in which secure, prioritized broadband communication becomes an integral part of mission-critical operations.

Image: Courtesy of Airbus Public Safety and Security