PSCE Winter Conference 2025 Showcases Strategic Progress in Mission-Critical Communications and the Expanding Role of AI in Public Safety

A key topic was European-wide MCX roaming — now a central issue for interoperability across borders, the deployment of cloud and edge resources, sovereign infrastructure considerations, and new off-network capabilities.

The 2025 edition of the Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE) Winter Conference brought together leading experts, industry innovators, and public safety representatives to explore the technologies, standards, and regulatory frameworks shaping the future of mission-critical communications across Europe.

This year’s programme delivered a comprehensive overview of evolving broadband capabilities, the integration of mobile network operators (MNOs) in public safety ecosystems, and the accelerating role of artificial intelligence in emergency response.

Advancing Mission-Critical Communications Across Europe

The conference reaffirmed the growing importance of commercial operators within mission-critical communication environments. A key topic was European-wide MCX roaming — now a central issue for interoperability across borders, the deployment of cloud and edge resources, sovereign infrastructure considerations, and new off-network capabilities such as device-to-device communications via sidelink/PC5 and emerging direct-to-device satellite solutions.

Marc Balon of Orange, Chair of the GSMA Network Roaming Group, provided an in-depth update on foundational roaming standards. His briefing covered the NG.150 Mission Critical Communications Roaming Guidelines, ongoing development of the NG.155 testing framework, and emerging models for Home/Visited Network interaction.

Vodafone’s Esmat Mirzamany explored the evolving role of telecom operators in mission-critical services, reflecting the company’s heritage from TETRA and GSM to today’s public safety LTE and 5G environments. Vodafone’s cooperation with Airbus Public Safety and Security, alongside its collaboration with the Irish Government, underlined the growing momentum behind national MCX strategies.

This discussion led seamlessly into an update from Ireland’s OGCIO on the Westport MCX Proof of Concept, complemented by contributions from Finland’s public safety community. Kari Junttila of Erillisverkot and Elisa’s Head of Mobile Access, Tiina Höckert, detailed progress on VIRVE 2 — one of Europe’s most advanced hybrid mission-critical programmes.

Telefónica’s Alexandre Harmand added further perspective by highlighting innovation at the network edge, including cloud-based architectures and digital sovereignty — areas growing in relevance for the European public safety landscape.

These themes were further examined during a panel discussion moderated by Rebecca Robinson, who brought together Balon, Mirzamany, Höckert, and Harmand for a reflective exchange on opportunities, challenges, and barriers to deeper MNO participation in critical communications.

The technology roadmap was reinforced by Qualcomm’s contribution. Stepping in at short notice, Sabrina Stanislas-Boumier presented the company’s much-anticipated update on DMO and sidelink evolution. Her insights emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong dialogue between public safety organisations and global technology innovators as standards and capabilities continue to evolve.

AI Hype Cycle: From Concept to Operational Reality

An equally significant highlight of the conference was its dedicated focus on the real-world integration of artificial intelligence into public safety. The “AI Hype Cycle” session delivered a grounded, practitioner-led examination of how AI is being adopted responsibly and effectively across emergency management and public protection services.

Ricardo Gonzalez of Motorola Solutions provided an overview of AI’s growing impact on incident response. His presentation demonstrated how automation, enhanced decision-support tools, and advanced information processing are becoming powerful force multipliers for frontline operators.

Representing the civil security domain, Captain Quentin Brot of the École nationale supérieure des officiers de sapeurs-pompiers explored how predictive analytics and intelligent technologies can improve prevention, protection, and preparedness — providing operational value that aligns closely with evolving regulatory requirements.

The practitioner’s perspective was further expanded by Simon Franke of the German Red Cross ITC | Applied Research, who outlined opportunities and constraints observed directly within control rooms. His contribution highlighted the organisational, human, and ethical considerations that must underpin any responsible AI deployment.

These insights provided the foundation for a panel discussion moderated by PSCE President Mario Drobics. Together, the speakers addressed the capabilities, limitations, and maturity of today’s AI solutions — as well as the implications of the EU AI Act for high-risk systems used in public safety. A central question emerged: How confident can organisations be in AI today?

The panel underlined that confidence must be built through transparency, robust design, responsible implementation, and governance frameworks that ensure humans remain firmly in control of critical decisions.

The consensus was clear: AI is steadily transitioning from a promising concept to a practical, measurable tool — provided it is developed with end-users, deployed transparently, and supported by regulatory structures that reinforce trust.

Image: Coutesy of PSCE