New digital network transforms multi-agency communication

By the end of this year, Germany will boast the world’s largest multi-agency digital radio network to be based on the TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) standard, providing a single network for all safety and security organisations.

The German BOS (Security Authorities and Organisations) digital radio network is designed for communication by 500,000 users at the same time and will secure communication across government authorities, both in daily use and during large-scale events and incidents.

It will be made up of between 4,300 to 4,500 base stations and 64 core network locations (central exchanges, transit central exchanges and network administration centres).

It is the largest-ever modernisation project for internal security in Germany. The BOS digital radio will guarantee nationwide communication for police forces, fire brigades and rescue services, both in everyday situations and in crisis management and emergency operations.

The new communications system, being coordinated by the BDBOS (The Federal Agency of Digital Radio for Security Authorities and Organisations) will replace the technically obsolete analogue radio system currently used by safety and security services at both federal and state level. Already around 85 per cent of German territory is covered.

Project lead at the BDBOS is Niedersachsen Police Inspector Sven Franke, who is not only managing the nationwide implementation of the network, but also building a multi-agency command and control centre in the city of Oldenburg. This command and control centre will serve around 5,000 officers and personnel from the fire, police and medical health services, together with emergency management organisations, responsible for some three million citizens.

With increased collaboration likely between UK police forces and partner agencies, it is something that could well be mirrored here, but, as Insp Franke explains, it is not without its difficulties.

Speaking at last month’s Control Room Communications Conference in Vienna, he said the biggest challenge in developing a multi-agency control room is to identify all stakeholders and get them at one table – “and to keep them at that table”.

There also needs to be common agreement on the contract and budget, technology, personnel and operational processes.

“There is no homogenous landscape for multi-agency control rooms in Germany,” he explained. “In some federal states a handful of agencies have started multi-agency command and control centre projects [but only] a very small number of them are in real operation so far.

“However, multi-agency command and control rooms can lead to higher professionalism through more effective human resourcing, funding and use of budget, and new technical equipment.”

He added that this quicker sharing of information also speeds up the operational and decision-making processes.

Interconnected systems and use of the cloud may help to keep in budget, while it was essential to use the experiences of other authorities and projects and keep an open mind on new technology streams.

But he warned: “When making a time schedule, be aware of the market’s and customer’s behaviour – and double the planned time schedule.”