ASTRID Users' Advisory Committee Guides Strategic Direction for Next-Generation Critical Communications

Annual two-day workshop in Brussels brings together users, experts, and advisory bodies to co-create the future of Belgium's critical communications infrastructure.

ASTRID, Belgium's national provider of critical communications infrastructure for public safety and emergency services, convened its annual Users' Advisory Committee (UAC) workshop in Brussels in early March 2025. The two-day meeting brought together all members and experts of the UAC, chaired by Ruben Vansevenant, for an intensive working session in which users were invited to provide direct input on the most consequential decisions shaping the future of critical communications in Belgium.

Co-Creation at the Core of ASTRID's Strategic Approach

The workshop confirmed the UAC's central role as the official advisory body representing the interests of all users of the ASTRID network, at a pivotal moment when strategic decisions will determine the direction of the country's critical communications landscape for years to come. ASTRID's co-creation approach — engaging operational users directly in shaping technical and organisational choices — was reaffirmed as a core principle throughout the proceedings.

The session also included participation from members of the COP (CAD Consultation Platform), a forum representing the interests of public-safety answering point (PSAP) operators. Their joint attendance provided a valuable opportunity to align priorities across both advisory bodies, particularly in the context of the ongoing PSAP modernisation project, which concerns the future organisation and operation of emergency dispatch centres across Belgium.

NextGenCom: Preparing Procurement with User-Driven Choices

The centrepiece of the workshop was NextGenCom, ASTRID's programme for the long-term evolution of its critical communications network. With ASTRID now in an advanced phase of preparing detailed public procurement specifications, the workshop gave participating disciplines the opportunity to formulate their operational requirements clearly and consistently across key technical, operational, and organisational dimensions.

A broad range of related strategic topics were addressed during the sessions, including:

• PSAP evolution and the PURE programme (integration of 101 and 112 emergency centres)
• Network coverage and performance requirements
• Migration planning and timelines
• Terminal equipment and device strategies
• Subscription pricing models
• Governance of the CCU-SDAC (Solution Design Advisory Committee)
• Security architecture
• Service catalogue development
• The myASTRID user portal and overall user satisfaction

Three Key Messages Emerging from the Workshop

The discussions produced three clear overarching messages from the user community:

• Advancing together with clarity and methodology: Users underscored the importance of a structured, coordinated approach to the transition ahead, with clear timelines and shared understanding across disciplines.
• Co-creation as the cornerstone of robust solutions: Active user involvement remains indispensable to designing solutions that are technically sound and operationally realistic for frontline deployment.
• Immediate preparatory action required: User organisations were called upon to take concrete preparatory steps towards NextGenCom now, including budget planning and comprehensive inventorying of existing radio assets.

New Visual Identity for the Users' Advisory Committee

The workshop also marked the unveiling of a new visual identity for the UAC. The newly designed logo, built around a motif of closely interlocking spheres, reflects the values that define the committee's work: coherence, coordination, diversity, and unity. The refreshed identity is intended to strengthen the UAC's visibility and positioning as it faces the significant challenges associated with Belgium's transition to next-generation critical communications.