The Middle East to Lead with Next-generation Mission Critical Communication Advancement

The Middle East, a region renowned for its technological advancements, has long been an early adopter of new technologies, including mission-critical communications (MCC). The UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are leading the way in investing in new communications technologies and creating new applications. In particular, they have been quick to deploy the latest 3GPP-based broadband technology, known as mission-critical services (MCX).

This is significant. Professional communication standards and technology have been evolving for decades, the arrival of the broadband MCX era will unquestionably change the overall outlook of critical communications users in both the public safety and commercial spheres. 

MCC used to be dominated by narrowband land mobile radio (LMR) solutions such as TETRA, P25, and DMR. While mission-critical broadband was burgeoning, the ecosystem was still in the early stage of its development and it was not economically or logistically feasible for owners and operators to abandon their existing narrowband infrastructure and devices.

This created a requirement to interconnect narrowband LMR networks with the newer 4G/5G broadband MCC systems. However, no standardized interworking solution was then available, suppliers had to take a proprietary approach to integrating the two technologies. It made interoperability a big issue. 

Thanks to the continuous efforts of the global MCC community to align mission-critical communications requirements with the wider consumer mobile ecosystem and standards, the MCC landscape has undergone significant development in the last few years. Not only has MCX technology now incorporated many of the once unique characteristics of LMR systems, but it is also much easier to integrate the two.

A good illustration of this is the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, where the organizers implemented a hybrid network, which integrated both narrowband TETRA and broadband push-to-talk (PTT) technologies. The event showcased how these exciting new technologies could enhance mission-critical communications by supporting new applications such as multimedia communications and video streaming. Deploying hybrid networks also improves the overall resiliency and network coverage, which is essential for ensuring safety and security at major events.  

“Following the success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, more Middle Eastern countries are now implementing broadband PTT technologies. For example, Abu Dhabi has set up a private 4G LTE network using 700MHz spectrum for its Smart/Safe City project, which has been recently updated to 5G to support advanced broadband MCC applications. Meanwhile, the Qatar Ministry of Interior has completed the upgrade of its mission-critical capabilities and is rolling out a full range of MC services. Saudi Arabia is currently in the process of assigning broadband spectrum for public safety use,” said Jonson Wang, Product Marketing Manager of Hytera MEA.

These examples demonstrate that the future of MCC will be dictated by multimedia communication platforms capable of supporting a hybrid infrastructure. The platforms will provide users with an integrated suite of services and applications, ensuring easy access, monitoring, control, dispatch and recording as the occasion demands. As broadband MCC technology becomes more widely adopted in the region, new trends and needs are appearing.

The need for converged networks is increasing

Mahinsha Backer, the Asst. General Manager of Zener Marine Services, a much-acclaimed MCC solution distributor in the region, predicted that broadband MCX will dominate the future MCC market, but not as a replacement for traditional technologies. Rather, MCX will be deployed as an enhancement or unified solution ensuring redundancy in communication systems with broadband media capabilities.

Public safety agencies in the Middle East currently rely heavily on LMR systems due to their proven reliability and security. Despite the fact that more countries are beginning the transition to broadband technologies, TETRA systems will continue to coexist with LTE networks for a long time for sound technical and economic reasons. 

Several countries in the region traditionally rely on mature TETRA and P25 networks, according to Ildefonso de la Cruz, principal analyst in the Public Safety & Critical Communications group at Omdia. In addition, Ildefonso also pointed out that new TETRA networks have been deployed to address the needs of sports as well as tourism-related contracts in Bahrain, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, including deployments in the F1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, as well as mission-critical solutions for the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Large growth in cost-optimized digital technologies like DMR Tier II have been recorded across the region. Omdia projects that this group of technologies will increase at a double-digit rate between now and 2030.

Given the continuing deployment of LMR networks, the market needs to find a way to integrate these different technologies to deliver improved MCC services to its customers. This requires a unified, standards-based approach to tightly integrate LMR and LTE networks.

For example, hybrid-mode devices, also known as converged devices, have already proven their value in the market. These devices are purposely designed to operate on both TETRA and LTE networks, ensuring uninterrupted communications for responders and paving the way for a seamless transition to broadband. Vendors active in the Middle East, like Hytera, offer a variety of hybrid-mode devices, such as the PTC760. 

Initially, the integration of the two systems relied on proprietary solutions due to the ongoing development of relevant standards and the lack of a standardized interworking function, which limited interoperability and hindered the establishment of a harmonized ecosystem. 

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of 3GPP, ETSI, and TCCA, particularly in the realm of MCX and the interworking function (IWF), it is expected that the majority of countries will embrace these standard-based approaches. This will pave the way for truly unified, fully interoperable MCC services. 

The interoperability solution is now available on the market, and with the completion of 3GPP R15 and R16, IWF has become mature. Leading vendors such as Hytera have created a multi-layered convergence solution that seamlessly integrates TETRA and LTE for unified and enhanced PTT. 

The adoption of standards-based interfaces and the incorporation of IWF will enable customers to smoothly upgrade their networks using an open-standard technology approach.

Command centers move towards next-generation intelligent operation

In this digitally connected world where data is everywhere and the public relies on digital tools, embracing broadband connectivity is vital, particularly for public safety agencies in the region. 

Broadband technology enables agencies to bridge the digital gap with the public, improve public services, and enhance situational awareness by accessing real-time data from various resources in the field, such as IoT sensors, cameras, and asset locations. It also facilitates interoperability and data sharing among agencies, enhancing cooperation.

The advent of modern technologies such as 5G, AI, NLP, AR, big data and fusion technology is transforming the landscape of public safety operations. They enable the integration of diverse data resources, including public feedback such as social media posts, multiple video sources, and IoT sensor data. These multiple data sources can be correlated and processed in real-time for fast analysis of risk.

Control centers are becoming more intelligent, which is enabling public safety agencies to make a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive operations. Better quality intelligence delivered in near-real or real time enables public safety agencies to make more accurate predictions about outcomes, better-informed decision-making, and a more targeted allocation of resources.

The effectiveness of the public safety response depends on the quality and timeliness of the information received from the scene of the incident. In turn, the speed and quality of information from the field depend on having a robust and reliable communication system. 

A unified communications platform with a hybrid dispatch console capable of integrating multiple technologies such as LTE, TETRA and more, will ensure seamless connectivity among agencies to support the instantaneous exchange of information and enable a properly coordinated response. 

Modern responders are equipped with a range of advanced devices, including smartphones, radios, and body cameras, which enable real-time interaction with dispatchers using built-in communication and location tools. By incorporating advanced intelligence data from the control center and leveraging these new tools, responders can carry out operations more swiftly, flexibly, and accurately, thereby enhancing their overall effectiveness.

Pioneering companies in the industry have showcased their expertise in delivering intelligent-centric command, control, and coordination solutions in the global market. By leveraging their capabilities, intelligence-enabled command centers are poised to play a crucial role in the next-generation of public safety operations in the region. 

Advanced video surveillance, along with real-time and historical intelligence analytics can be deployed to accurately forecast threats and rapidly implement robust preventive protection measures for effectively handling anticipated or ongoing incidents and emergencies. 

Next-generation Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems enable agencies to strategically deploy resources, initiate early intervention, and implement measures that deter or minimize the impact of potential threats, thereby improving response outcomes.

In this way, public safety agencies can anticipate and mitigate risks more effectively, staying ahead of emerging threats and ultimately ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. 

Telecom operators carve out a slice of the MCC market 

With the ongoing expansion of broadband services in the Middle East, LTE and 5G NR mobile networks are gaining recognition as alternative platforms for providing push-to-talk (PTT) and multimedia services. 

Mobile network operators (MNO) like STC in Saudi Arabia, Vodafone and Ooredoo in Qatar, and Omantel in Oman have been playing an increasingly important role in the market by introducing broadband PTT services for public safety and industrial users in recent years. 

These operators leverage their extensive network coverage to provide comprehensive broadband PTT solutions that integrate devices, services, and traffic into a single package. This approach offers several benefits, including reducing network maintenance and construction costs for their customers.

Furthermore, these operators are utilizing their network assurance and maintenance expertise to actively support the delivery of large-scale events and activities. An example of this is Vodafone's involvement in providing broadband PTT services for the volunteers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Conclusion

The Middle East region has been at the forefront of adopting mission-critical communication technologies with countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia leading the way. The integration of broadband LTE technologies, along with the coexistence of existing TETRA systems, has allowed for the development of unified, standards-based approaches in mission-critical communications. 

The convergence of networks and the availability of hybrid-mode devices have helped ensure uninterrupted communications for responders and seamless transitions to broadband platforms. 

Additionally, the region has witnessed the rise of intelligence-enabled command centers, leveraging advanced technologies like AI, big data and IoT to enhance situational awareness and enable proactive decision-making for public safety agencies. 

Telecom operators have also played a significant role in providing comprehensive broadband PTT solutions, leveraging their network coverage and expertise to support public safety operations and large-scale events. With ongoing developments and initiatives, the Middle East continues to shape the future of mission-critical communications, enabling safer communities and improved outcomes in public safety.