All authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS) in a nationwide uniform digital voice and data radio system can communicate with each other. Digital radio meets important tactical requirements for modern communication and is characterized by a large number of technical features that support the emergency services in performing their tasks. The following points illustrate the main advantages of digital radio at a glance.
- A common network for all,
- Clear voice quality,
- Security,
- Individual communication,
- GPS localization,
- emergency call.
A common network for all
In the past, authorities and organizations with security tasks used many independent analogue radio networks. Radio communication between the emergency services usually ended at the border of the area of responsibility. This now outdated analog radio technology is being replaced by a nationwide digital radio network. This will not only increase efficiency, it will also open up a wide range of possibilities for users that were not available with the analog radio networks. A shared network allows different emergency services, for example police officers and firefighters, to communicate with each other safely and unhindered during operations. If necessary, this nationwide radio network even enables emergency services in North Rhine-Westphalia to communicate with colleagues in Bavaria without any problems.
Clear voice quality
Digital radio technology uses digitization and electronic filtering processes to largely eliminate the transmission of interfering ambient noise at the transmitter's location. As useful signals can be distinguished from interfering signals (e.g. road noise and noise from pumps and engines) and "factored out", reception quality and speech intelligibility are significantly improved compared to analog radio. The typical noise of analog radio is therefore history, the future is crystal clear.
Security / protection against eavesdropping
All digital radio devices have an integrated security card. The security card is used to encrypt outgoing radio calls and decrypt incoming radio calls. This means that end-to-end encryption is implemented in the digital radio network. The police and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution have a particular interest in this security against interception. However, patient data that is not intended for the public is also disseminated via radio waves in the emergency services. Previous analog radio networks can usually be intercepted with little technical effort.
Radio traffic is protected against interception by unauthorized persons or manipulation by third parties.
Group communication / individual communication
The majority of BOS voice communication consists of group calls. In a group call, several subscribers are interconnected to form a group so that the voice information of one subscriber can be heard simultaneously by all other subscribers. This functionality also essentially characterizes the many analog radio networks. However, it is also possible to interconnect paging groups centrally if this is required for demanding and complex operational situations involving different BOS.
Digital radio also enables individual communication in which other call partners can be specifically selected without the need for additional listeners. This is comparable to a mobile phone network, where subscribers can also be specifically dialed via an individual number.
GPS localization
The digital radio network offers the option of transmitting the location of the emergency services to the relevant control center via the satellite-based GPS system. This will enable efficient and timely coordination of operations in the future.
High availability
A secure and reliable radio connection is particularly important for the emergency services of the BOS
Independent of commercial mobile radio networks, the digital radio network ensures reliable communication exclusively for BOS emergency services. Due to the specific network structure, the BOS digital radio is highly available. Communication is guaranteed even in the event of high call volumes, such as major events or large-scale emergencies.
Emergency call
Every digital radio has an emergency call button. If this is pressed by the emergency worker seeking help, assistance can be requested in a targeted manner. It is up to the programming of the radios whether all other emergency services in the same call group are notified or a single person, such as the dispatcher at the nearest control center. The location data is automatically transmitted when an emergency call is sent. This means that help can be provided quickly and efficiently.