ETSI launches Technical Committee on Critical Communications Systems

The inaugural kick-off meeting of the Technical Committee brought together over 50 participating constituencies from across the critical communications ecosystem. Part of the work will be carried over from the now closed ETSI Committee (TCCE), while new work items will primarily be focusing on supporting the creation of the European Union’s Critical Communication System.

One of the keen focus areas for the group is the maintenance and evolution of the TETRA standard and the development of international standards for mission‑critical narrowband and broadband communications. These two pillars form the core of the Technical Committee’s work, ensuring that critical communications users can rely on secure, interoperable and future‑proof technologies.

During the first meeting, the newly formed Technical Committee on Critical Communications Systems elected officials representing public sector, industry and specialist organisations across Europe. Ari Toivonen from Suomen Erillisverkot was elected chair. Renaud Mellies from the French Ministry of the Interior (in charge of broadband) and David Chater‑Lea from Sepura Ltd (in charge of narrowband) have been elected as vice-chairs.

The Technical Committee brings together the whole ecosystem of critical communications: from Governments to regulators, the Emergency Services, mobile network operators, military organisations, transportation, the utilities and the industrial sector. It will collect and specify operational and technical requirements from these stakeholders to ensure that future standards support resilient, interoperable and secure communications capabilities across increasingly critical converged communications infrastructures.

A closer collegial relationship with other European and international standards bodies to promote alignment and avoid duplication of work is a foundational aspect of the Technical Committee’s remit. It will also prepare specifications and reports in support of the European Critical Communications System as part of its broader broadband-related activities.

Key responsibilities

Key responsibilities will include the following:

TETRA evolution

Continuing the maintenance and enhancement of the globally deployed ETSI TETRA standard, while supporting migration pathways towards future broadband and hybrid communications environments

Mission-critical broadband

Developing international standards that ensure secure, interoperable and resilient broadband services for public safety and other critical sectors

Stakeholder requirements

Collecting and specifying operational and technical requirements from Governments, regulators, the Emergency Services, industry and other sectors

European Critical Communications System

supporting the development of specifications and reports for Europe’s future critical communications infrastructure

Interoperability and standards alignment

Collaborating with European and international standards bodies to promote harmonised and interoperable approaches as well as minimise duplication across critical communications initiatives

New chapter

“The development of the ETSI Technical Committee on Critical Communications Systems marks the concrete beginning of a new chapter for critical communications standardisation in Europe as we prepare for the European Union’s Critical Communication System deployment by 2030,” explained Renaud Mellies.

Ari Toivonen commented: “The ETSI TETRA standard is widely used worldwide by public safety agencies with more than 120 countries using dedicated TETRA networks. In addition to secure and resilient network communications, now quantum safe, it also offers direct peer-to-peer critical communications without the need for a supporting network in situations such as natural disasters and emergencies.”

Toivonen added: “We see the new Technical Committee on Critical Communications Systems as a means to further strengthen ETSI’s role in supporting secure, interoperable and resilient communications systems for public safety, defence, transportation, the utilities and industry across Europe and, what’s more, internationally.”

*Further information is available online at www.etsi.org