Airwave (communications network)
| Airwave | |
 |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Public safety network |
| Standard | Terrestrial Trunked Radio |
| Area | United Kingdom |
| Owner | Macquarie Group |
| Users | Police, fire departments, health care |
The Airwave network is a mobile communications network dedicated for the use by the emergency services in the United Kingdom. Designed to be both secure and resilient it allows multiple agencies integrated communications through a nationwide network. It is a secure digital, encrypted network and can be used for voice and data transmission.[1] The Airwave network is based on the specialist Terrestrial Trunked Radio specification.[2]
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[edit] Ownership
Airwave is ultimately owned by a Macquarie investment fund named Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund II (MEIF II) and CPPIB Communications Pty Limited.
[edit] London Underground
The introduction of a communications network which could operate effectively in the London Underground network was a key recommendation following an inquiry into the 2005 London bombings. As a result Airwave handsets (or systems compatible with the Airwave network) were more widely rolled out across the three UK emergency services and are able to interoperate with the London Underground's Connect network. Communications tests prove the system works well even in the deepest parts of the Underground tunnel system, 35 metres below sea level.
Airwave was contracted to install and maintain special antennas in the London Underground. This, together with the lack of competing signals makes the coverage in the underground system absolutely exceptional.
According to the National Policing Improvement Agency the availability of the Airwave radio system for the year to April 2009 was above target at 99.93%.[3]
[edit] Airwave performance during 2011 riots
According to a report from the Police Federation Review of the 2011 England riots some police services of the United Kingdom were forced to use their own personal mobile phones to co-ordinate strategy during the riots. However, the National Policing Improvement Agency says the Airwave Network was able to cope with 16,000 officers deployed in the London area. "Some officers had to wait a few seconds for their calls to get through, but, fundamentally, the network proved to be most resilient," it said in a statement.
[edit] References
- ^ "Motorola TETRA PDA Will be Based on Windows Mobile". http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=5542.
- ^ "Airwave". Fife Constabulary. http://www.fife.police.uk/Default.aspx?page=1790. "The Airwave network is based on TETRA"
- ^ http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Business_Plan_2009-2010distilled.pdf National Policing Improvement Agency Business Plan 2009-10]
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Airwave news site
- Government Products and Solutions - Motorola UK and Ireland
- CM5000 - Motorola UK and Ireland
- Motorola TETRA Terminals
- MTH800 - Motorola UK and Ireland
- MTP850 - Motorola UK and Ireland
- MTP850 S - Motorola UK and Ireland
- Selex Communications PUMA T3 family
- Selex Communications PUMA T3-Plus
