Now, let’s imagine that this TETRA network supports TEDS Direct Access.

Every police vehicle in the area can continue updating its position data into the Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system, so that the police commander knows the precise location of every unit. A short video clip can also be sent to the command centre over TEDS. Using group addressing, the command centre can send a mug-shot of the suspected arsonist to everyone in or near the area. And there is enough capacity still for the fire field commanders and for the ambulances.

Thanks to TEDS Direct Access, all this intensive data traffic has not crowded the TETRA 1 channels for voice. The incident can be handled without risk of congestion.

Tero Pesonen is a board member of the TETRA Association. He is also head of Fortecor Business Programme at Cassidian Systems