AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR CROSSCALL AND ITS CORE-Z5
Every year, Critical Communication World (CCW) brings together end-users of critical communication systems, manufacturers and suppliers for three days of inspiration, knowledge and connections. This key industry event is organized by TCCA (The Critical Communication Association), whose mission is to develop and promote standardized critical communication solutions worldwide.
On this occasion, the TCCA orchestrates the International Critical Communication Awards (ICCA), a ceremony which recognizes the most innovative initiatives and products at international level.
This year, French manufacturer Crosscall stood out with its CORE-Z5 smartphone, which won the "Best MCX product of the year" award. This award underlines Crosscall's expertise in designing MCX products, a new standard defined by 3GPP, operating on 4G and 5G LTE networks, where X stands for several mission-critical (MC) services such as PTT (push to talk, i.e. voice), data, video and others. The CORE-Z5 is thus recognized at the highest level by industry professionals as a solution that meets their current and future needs.
MISSION-CRITICAL COMMUNICATION: A FAST-CHANGING SECTOR
The world of mission-critical communication is undergoing a major transformation. Until now, several 2G-equivalent technologies were mainly used in the public safety sector: TETRA, ACROPOL, TETRAPOL, P25... These technologies enable exchanges on private mobile networks called PMR (Private Mobile Radio), which are independent and distinct from mobile networks open to the public. These technologies are set to be replaced by new private networks operating on 4G and 3G networks. 5G. As a result, the old handheld communication tools will gradually be replaced by more modern devices. The smartphone will thus become the ideal tool for security forces, enabling them to access brand-new functionalities, gain in operationality in the field and be interoperable. Indeed, in addition to voice communications, they will now be able to share data, photos, videos or even location in real time and simultaneously with several people.
However, compatibility with private networks and pre-emption of access to them remain essential to make the smartphone an MCX tool. To achieve this, smartphones need to be compatible with specific frequency bands. Crosscall has developed this expertise over the last few years, and in partnership with Qualcomm, has developed the CORE-Z5, the world's first smartphone compatible with band 68, a frequency band dedicated to public safety in the majority of European countries. This innovation has now earned the French manufacturer an international award.
"We are very proud to receive this award. It rewards the work carried out over several years by our product and software development teams. It's a great achievement for Crosscall, and a recognition at the highest level that consolidates our expertise in the critical communications sector".
Nicolas Zibell, CEO of Crosscall.
CROSSCALL, EUROPE'S CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Crosscall has demonstrated its expertise in the critical communications sector by developing innovative products and solutions, and providing professionals with solutions that meet their specific needs. The company is also helping to drive this sector forward by working on international projects such as Broadway, which aims to define, develop and test next-generation mission-critical communication solutions for public safety organizations across Europe.
Crosscall is one of the first manufacturers to work on eMBMS (evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services) support, which enables "point-to-multipoint" content broadcasting. Thanks to eMBMS, several terminals can receive information that the antenna sends to everyone, instead of receiving the information separately.
The support of this functionality is complementary to that of band 68. In fact, this band is only 5 MHz wide, which, in the event of major events or crises, may prove insufficient to support different video streams shared by several people.
So, tomorrow public security forces will be more connected. They will be equipped with smartphones and dedicated accessories enabling them to manage all their missions, wherever they may be, more rapidly, while minimizing risks in the field. This is a key factor in ensuring the safety of populations, and in particular the security of major events in which Crosscall and its products are directly involved. At COP 27, which took place in Dubai at the end of 2023, Crosscall helped to ensure the smooth running and safety of participants at this international event bringing together 196 states to discuss the issue of climate change. The critical communication system put in place, based on Crosscall's reliable and durable terminals, facilitated the coordination of the units involved and the management of incidents during these important days. A full-scale experience that will be put to good use by the French Ministry of the Interior during another major event, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Crosscall terminals will accompany the police and gendarmes mobilized to guarantee festive and safe games for the public. This alternative to conventional radios offers officers better network quality and communications continuity, and is based on a smartphone and Crosscall's X-COMM remote microphone, tailored to their operational needs.