Gary Maughan

The Police ICT Company has announced that Sepura has been selected for inclusion on ‘Lot 1’ of the National Airwave Terminal Framework. This award followed a rigorous and open procurement process. It will enable UK police forces, and other public safety users on the Airwave network, to procure market-leading communications equipment through a standard framework. The process, requested by the Home Office Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) and delivered by The Police ICT Company, was announced in August and concluded in November. The resultant framework will allow for a nationally co-ordinated approach which benefits Airwave user organizations through greater efficiencies in procurement and relationship management. Delivering TETRA terminals and software solutions Sepura will use the framework to deliver its TETRA terminals, accessories and software solutionsThe agreement will also help drive the future roadmap for ESMCP and ensure that users can continue to benefit from trusted and proven TETRA devices today and throughout the transition to the Emergency Services Network (‘ESN’). Sepura – a supplier of TETRA devices to UK police forces and other public safety users since the technology’s introduction – will use the framework to deliver its TETRA terminals, accessories and software solutions. The timing of this program is important as UK users look to maintain their fleets with proven, reliable end user devices for critical voice applications. Sepura will continue to offer UK police forces, and other Airwave users, market-leading TETRA solutions which offer flexibility by dynamically deploying custom data applications, supporting end users by providing access to mission critical data. Open standard for mission critical communications This will enable customers to deploy innovative solutions today while also helping forces prepare for ESN in the future"Sepura’s UK Sales Director, Gary Maughan, said, “Sepura recognizes that TETRA is the leading truly open standard for mission critical communications. Sepura’s innovative new generation of TETRA terminals is helping the technology platform evolve; we are focused on delivering market-leading devices and compelling applications which provide police forces and other Airwave users with solutions that support their day-to-day duties and enhance operations.” He added, “We acknowledge significant value in The Police ICT Company’s successful establishment of a procurement framework for users to refresh their Airwave radios. This will enable customers to deploy innovative solutions today while also helping forces prepare for ESN in the future.” Significant efficiencies and discounts to forces The Police ICT Company’s CEO, Ian Bell, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sepura on a framework that signals excellent news for the police service and its public sector partners, who will also have access to it. “In addition to the clear and immediate benefits of significant efficiencies and discounts to forces, the fact that the Company will manage the contract on their behalf will help streamline governance, reduce collective contract management burden and drive commonality.”

Sepura's SC21 hand-portable has been approved for use by both Airwave and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) for use on the UK's Airwave Network. This is the second terminal in Sepura's SC2 Series to receive network approval, joining its stablemate the SC20 as an advanced solution for mission critical voice and data communications. The SC21 is the latest terminal in the extensive TETRA range that Sepura supplies to UK mission critical users and provides a number of unique benefits to support operational staff. Additional Data Bearers Chief amongst these is the ability to support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, future-proofing the device to support operations during the transition to ESN. The SC21 has been designed with the user in mind; it is rugged, user-friendly and flexible" Phil Woodley, Sepura's Head of Products - TETRA Devices said: “The SC21 has been designed with the user in mind; it is rugged, user-friendly and flexible. Despite its small size and light weight it can still host one of the largest screens on a TETRA device, providing visibility in all lighting conditions. The advanced design of the SC21 offers support for additional data bearers and provides an audio capability that is the best available to TETRA users, coupled with an additional 4dB of sensitivity and Class 3 RF power to maximise coverage even in enclosed locations.” Narrowband Data Applications Gary Maughan, Regional Director for UK and Ireland at Sepura said “The SC21 extends Sepura's proud tradition of supporting UK public safety users, and extends the key benefits of the SC20 terminal in a compact package. The small, lightweight design of the SC21 combined with a specifically designed short antenna means it can be worn comfortably on the shoulder, or hidden unobtrusively for covert operations. The choice of user interface can be configured to replicate that of currently deployed radios, minimising training requirements and user confusion whilst operating under pressure.” Between them the SC2 series hand-portables enhance the user experience by enabling data sharing through narrowband data applications and providing superior audio even in extreme weather conditions. As the UK continues to move toward ESN, these devices provide cutting edge technology for today's mission critical users.