TETRA  |   LTE  |  2018-10-09

Airbus Empowers Professionals to use Flexible Cross-border Communication in Europe

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

Tactilon Agnet facilitates the secure exchange of information for emergency services between the region of Bolzano-South Tyrol in Italy and Austria.

For the first time, the Airbus collaboration tool Tactilon Agnet is used for secure cross-border broadband communication among public safety personnel. Fire-fighters, paramedics and rescue workers of the autonomous Region of Bolzano-South Tyrol can use reliable and secure voice, data as well as geo-positioning functions with this professional Airbus application.

This technology allows the rescue and emergency teams to speed up complex rescue operations outside and within South Tyrol, especially for special operations in South Tyrol. For instance, communication during patient transportations from Bolzano (Italy) to Innsbruck (Austria) can be followed using Tactilon Agnet without interruption. The rescue teams are in constant connection with their colleagues and headquarters in South Tyrol. That was not possible previously.

Whether public safety personnel move around within the region or abroad, this communication platform works everywhere in the world especially for special operations. The flexible exchange of information is coupled with the South Tyrolian regional radio network, which is based on Airbus' latest Tetra technology (version 7.0), using Internet Protocol (IP). It is combined with secure commercial LTE networks and allows real-time communication. Both task forces and specialists from South Tyrol can therefore contact other rescuers worldwide.

“South Tyrol is among the first regions where the Airbus application Tactilon Agnet has been completely rolled out. The flexible app is based on the region's new Tetra network and has proven to be a first-rate additional tool,” says Markus Rauch, coordinator of the regional radio service of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. “Thanks to Tactilon Agnet, our flow of information works professionally and securely.”

With Tactilon Agnet, participants in the South Tyrolian radio network can also quickly and securely integrate experts or other helpers into Tetra-based communication, even if those people only have a smartphone with commercial broadband network access.

Holger Hartwig, Key Account Manager for Secure Land Communications at Airbus says: “The release of the new Tetra software laid the foundation for further applications. With the Tactilon Agnet collaboration tool, South Tyrol has one of the most modern Tetra-hybrid networks in the world.”