have historically operated in different
agencies and multiple jurisdictions.
Bharat Bhatia, president, ITUAPT
Foundation of India, has
himself pointed out the limited
data capabilities of narrowband
networks. With the proliferation of
smartphones equipped with highspeed
internet access, video and realtime
social media in the hands of the
general public (and criminals), PPDR
agencies recognise the importance
of having access to broadband data,
social media and mobile videos in real
time. In particular, high-resolution
videos captured in the field are vital
for improving situational awareness
and making accurate intelligencedriven
decisions.
The latest PPDR applications
use real-time mobile to help detect
and prevent criminal activities and
aid emergency response teams. A
blend of artificial intelligence, big
data technologies and mobile video
is paving the way for video content
analytics that support tracking,
detecting, extracting or identifying
members of the public, objects
or attributes.
Mission-critical voice and video
conversations integrated with
information on the location of staff,
real-time updates on public transport
movements and even social media
activities are helping first-responders.
Mobile broadband PPDR
networks could ultimately enable
fingerprint sensors to identify victims
or criminals at the location of an
incident, saving time and gaining
crucial intelligence in the moments
that count. These networks can also
make possible live feeds from
traffic cameras, or real-time numberplate
recognition to follow and
intercept suspects before anybody
is endangered.
However, the bulk of upcoming
projects are likely to be PMR-based
solutions aimed at the transport
sector, especially the railways, airports
and underground systems.
For example, in September 2018,
DAMM Cellular Systems won a
contract to provide its TetraFlex
Radio System at Kannur International
Airport. In March 2019, the city of
Nagpur launched its new metro line,
which operates 100 Sepura mobile
and hand-portable terminals on a
TETRA communications network.
The Nagpur network will
eventually cover 40km of track,
with the devices either built into
the vehicles or at control facilities.
In total, 400 hand-portable TETRA
radios have been provided to the
India
metro for use across the whole
network, including two depots
and over 20 three-car trains. Later
upgrades to handle additional data
are possible.
TETRA is in use with some public
safety agencies. The Tamil Nadu
state police have patrol vehicles
equipped with TETRA radios and an
integrated GPS module. Data from
these modules is transmitted to the
control room via a short data service
at preconfigured intervals.
By this method, the police are able
to track any caller who hangs up on
control room operators after ringing
the emergency hotline. Patrol teams
are then dispatched to the closest
GPS-fitted vehicle, so they can move
swiftly to the location and address
the issue. A real-time monitor aids
police in tracking the movement of all
patrol vehicles.
After extensive field testing,
Madhya Pradesh Police selected
TETRA over DMR and P25 to
manage large gatherings like the
huge Simhastha festival in Ujjain
(frequented by up to 50 million
pilgrims). This is a multi-site outdoor
system that uses gateways to enable
interconnection with the existing
Adobe Stock/Boris Stroujko
Most upcoming
projects are likely
to be PMR-based
solutions aimed
at the transport
sector, including
metro systems
January 2020 @CritCommsToday 11