The TETRAPOL Forum association gathers the manufacturers' and services' organisations that participate in the setting-up of professional radiocommunications' networks which incorporate the digital TETRAPOL technology. http://www.tetrapol.com

TETRAPOL: the dynamic new spirit of private mobile radio

The benchmark

Tetrapol is the industry benchmark for private mobile radio systems today and well into the future.

The transition to digital

All-digital communications marks a decisive step forward for private mobile communications. Digital technology vastly improves the quality and security of communications while enabling greater volumes of information to be carried. Above all, digital technology means that systems can be 'trunked' and shared, creating a radical change in comparison with the conventional PMR market. To fully capitalise on the benefits of this transformation, users and manufacturers have forged innovative relationships anchored in partnership.

annual global PMR market: 4.6 billion euro; European market: 1.5 billion euro (one-third of total); over ten million potential PMR users in Europe.

An innovative solution delivers success

Public-safety requirements are also changing, along with the political environment. Borders are being opened and even the most sophisticated technologies are widely available. At the same time, crime rates are increasing. Governments are seeking to better co-ordinate or integrate their public safety forces, while companies need greater protection of their business activities. Tetrapol provides an effective solution to all these needs, thanks to an innovative technology that shares mobile communications infrastructures. Tetrapol allows more efficient co-ordination of resources and enhances operational flexibility, adapting seamlessly to different user group constraints. Moreover, Tetrapol reduces both investment and operating costs. Tetrapol is currently the only solution already in operational service able to simultaneously integrate voice, data and all the enhanced features required by users.

Tetrapol systems:

integrated voice-data networks; all calls are encrypted end-to-end for enhanced user security and efficiency; automated nationwide networks that follow mobiles no matter where they go, allocating key channels; these networks are connected with customers' telecom and IT systems; interoperable across borders.

Tetrapol technology belongs to the same generation as GSM, the digital cellular standard that has been adopted in over 100 countries around the world. Originally developed in Europe, the Tetrapol initiative brings together users and manufacturers of national digital private mobile radio(PMR) systems. Tetrapol uses a process known as frequency division multiple access, or FDMA, with 12.5 kHz channel spacing.

A new way of working together

One of the pivotal factors behind Tetrapol's success is the novel partnership that links manufacturers, users and PMR service providers. This approach lets everyone involved in Tetrapol work together to find solutions and share information, creating unique momentum for the technology both in Europe and worldwide. Internal competition guarantees emulation of 'best practices' and ensures that competitive pressures drive lower prices and maximum quality.

Long-term availability is critical

Tetrapol networks are vital links in the security systems deployed by both national authorities and large organisations. Government authorities need to be certain of an unrestricted, long-term supply of equipment, as well as a commitment to continuous system improvements. Tetrapol offers standardised technical interfaces that are open to competition for every element in the communications system. Long-term availability is also ensured by the volume of current contracts, providing a guarantee of sustained future investments.

Three full years of operation

Beginning year 1998, 21 Tetrapol networks are now in service or being deployed for 24 organisations in 13 countries; over 400,000 Tetrapol users when current systems are completely installed; over 30,000 terminals already delivered; twenty-five companies in the Tetrapol technical working group; total customer investments totalling over two billion euro.

Momentum

Tetrapol is an innovative initiative by an association of manufacturers.

Tetrapol Forum

The Tetrapol Forum is a French-registered association created in 1994. Membership is open to all communications equipment manufacturers. Forum members pursue concrete actions aimed at supporting growth in the private mobile radio market and decide collectively on changes and additions to Tetrapol technical specifications. Each member retains complete independence in terms of product development and is free to develop productions that use complementary or even competing technologies. The rules for allocation of operating expenses and voting rights encourage the participation of smaller suppliers.

Limiting technical risks

As Tetrapol networks have been operational for several years, the manufacturers in the Tetrapol Forum have been able to base their products on technical specifications that have already been optimised and field-tested. Tetrapol focuses on available and robust solutions to ensure the highest possible degree of network security. This means that vendors are not exposed to technical risks in the performance of their Tetrapol products. Further, manufacturers benefit from innovation, economies of scale and a range of dedicated components that is already available.

Free access to patented technologies

Tetrapol Forum members are entitled to use patented technologies without paying a licensing fee, provided they agree to accord reciprocal rights for their own patents. All relevant patent rights have been transferred to the Forum by the founding members. This accelerates time-to-market and enables Tetrapol manufacturers to gain market shares more quickly.

Synergies within the forum

The Forum is an open network that puts manufacturers in touch with the best available partners. Each member develops equipment at its own pace, or can choose to participate in joint programmes. Since the specifications for all technical interfaces are open, manufacturers enjoy a guarantee that their products will be compatible with those from other suppliers. For users, this means access to a complete range of qualified sub-assemblies.

Open specifications: The Publicly Available Specifications, or PAS, comprise 2,000 pages of technical specifications. The document is managed by the Tetrapol Forum's technical committee and is written in compliance with the rules defined by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). This means that any manufacturer can use these specifications to develop equipment that is fully compatible with Tetrapol networks. The complete PAS is available on the Tetrapol Web site: www.tetrapol.com

Real-time market feedback

All Tetrapol Forum members have direct and unrestricted access to all customers. Contacts with the Tetrapol Users' Club provide a wealth of invaluable 'real-time' information from operators in the field. This gives each manufacturer immediate feedback on proposals submitted to customers. Manufacturers and users negotiate and jointly agree on evolutions to systems and to the standard.

Confidence

Tetrapol users share experience.

Unique pooling of experience

The Tetrapol Users' Club brings together all the buyers, users and operators of Tetrapol systems. Two or three meetings are held in different countries each year. Potential users are also invited to attend working sessions. These very fruitful exchanges have met with unanimous approval. Indeed, this is the best way to validate choices, nurture new ideas and benefit from the experience of others in a sector shaped by fast-paced change.

Main PMR users are security and public-safety forces, defence forces, industrial and service companies, utilities and transport companies.

Fast access to the right solution

Tetrapol meetings address issues that affect all users. Participants have an opportunity to discuss these questions and rapidly arrive at reliable solutions. As a result, users know they can count on a complete range of products often already qualified by other Tetrapol users. These range from control centres and data applications to network infrastructures, terminals and peripherals.

Strength in numbers

By teaming within a powerful organisation, Tetrapol users enjoy the advantages of centralised purchasing. This ensures both a diversified range of supplies and gives users direct impact on the strategic and technological choices made by the manufacturers. It is clearly in the best interests of all users to force the opening of the standard to competition and guarantee multisourcing.

Tetrapol networks mid 1998:

GERMANY BMW, automotive manufacturer BVG, Berlin mass transit authority Eurokai, public safety network for the Hamburg port FAG, Frankfurt airport NATO, air base of Geilenkirchen AUDI, the Ingolstadt plan SPAIN National Police Force, Madrid, Legacom pilot network Catalonia, Nexus public safety network FRANCE French Navy, Toulon naval base, Didrot network National Gendarmerie, Rubis network National Police Force, Acropol network SNCF (French national railways), IRIS network MEXICO Ministry of the Interior, Mexico City PALESTINE Palestine National Authority CZECH REPUBLIC Ministries of the Interior and Defence, Pegas national network ROMANIA Security forces, Phoenix national network SINGAPORE police forces, civil defence forces, narcotic bureau SLOVAK REPUBLIC Ministry of the interior, national network SWITZERLAND Mobilcom, operator-run pilot network, Tessin TAIWAN Coast Guard network THAILAND Royal Thai Police, Bangkok QATAR Security Forces, national network Two other networks in South East Asia, for customers whose identity remains confidential.

User-driven initiatives

Tetrapol meetings systematically focus on customer and user perceptions of quality. All quality improvement measures are discussed openly and supported by active follow-up. This co-operation ensures that user needs are clearly defined and addressed by concrete decisions on the part of manufacturers. The result is true user-driven innovation.

The TETRAPOL virtuous circle: success breeds success

Tetrapol has clearly created a dynamic new spirit in the private mobile radio market.

The digital transformation not only marks a technological leap forward, it is literally revolutionising the way systems are used. New applications and users are constantly emerging and manufacturers are responding to and anticipating their needs with innovative solutions.

The customers for a communications system such as this want a future-safe solution. Contracts that have already been signed represent substantial business volumes, which in turn guarantee further investments to support ongoing product improvements and innovation. The long-term availability and performance of Tetrapol is thus anchored in concrete, measurable results.