Omdia Crit Comms Circle

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Mar 2026

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Welcome to the Crit Comms Circle, the podcast bringing you market insight direct from Omdia analysts, exploring all facets of the critical communications industry. This podcast is hosted by Paul Bremner, Principal Analyst in Omdia's Critical Communications and Public Safety team. Paul has more than 10 years' experience providing industry insights for clients, regularly presenting at company and industry association events. Based in the UK, Paul holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Exeter. If it’s your first time listening, then thanks for coming, and welcome to the Circle. Have a topic you’d like to discuss on the show? Interested in joining as a guest? Get in touch with us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

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March 10, 202633 min

Ep 90: The importance of BWC in mission critical environments

In this episode, Paul speaks with Martin Ekman, Global Business Development Director for Axis Body Worn Solutions at Axis Communications, about the rapid expansion of body-worn cameras beyond traditional law enforcement into enterprise markets like retail, healthcare, transportation, and utilities. Martin shares insights on how mission-critical features, connectivity advances, and evolving use cases are driving adoption across diverse sectors—and what the next 3-5 years hold for this technology.Highlights includeBody-worn cameras are no longer just for police: Enterprise sectors like retail, corrections, and utilities are adopting them for safety, compliance, and liability protection.Evidence integrity is non-negotiable: Unlike consumer action cameras, professional body-worn systems ensure tamper-proof video with end-to-end security—critical as generative AI makes fake footage harder to detect.Form factor matters: Miniature body-worn cameras are enabling adoption in environments where traditional bulky devices don't fit—think train conductors in button shirts or retail staff on the floor.Live streaming changes the game: 4G/5G connectivity allows real-time oversight from command centers, transforming safety protocols for Coast Guard boardings, prison interventions, and emergency response.AI analytics are coming, but battery life is the bottleneck: Real-time analytics at the edge face power constraints, but streaming to centralized systems already enables features like auto-redaction, transcription, and translation.Top TakeawayBody-worn cameras are no longer a niche law enforcement tool, they're becoming a must-have for any organization prioritizing safety, transparency, and evidence integrity. The technology is mature, the use cases are proven, and the market is expanding faster in enterprise sectors than in public safety. If you're not exploring body-worn solutions yet, you're behind the curve.👋 Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

February 24, 202628 min

Ep 89: How are utilities going to keep the lights on in an AI world?

In this episode, Alfonso de la Cruz sits down with Ozge Russell, Senior Analyst at Omdia's Smart Building and Energy team, fresh from DistribuTech 2026 in San Diego. Together, they unpack why utilities are facing their most significant transformation since electrification began, and how grid edge intelligence is becoming the frontline defense against complexity, outages, and skyrocketing demand.Highlights include:90% of US grid outages originate at the distribution edge, yet utilities historically had the least visibility thereUS energy consumption projected to surge 50% in 20 years after two decades of near-zero growth, driven by AI data centers and electrificationUtilities are rebuilding network topology maps using AI because they don't know which homes connect to which transformersGrid edge intelligence enables autonomous, real-time fault detection, protecting expensive equipment and preventing cascading failuresAffordability is now a top-4 priority alongside reliability, resiliency, and flexibility, requiring utilities to collaborate with customers, not just serve themTop Takeaway:The grid edge is where 90% of outages happen, and where utilities had the least visibility. Edge-native intelligence isn't a nice-to-have; it's the only way to manage bidirectional power flows, protect aging infrastructure, and prevent economic disruption as electrification accelerates.👋 Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

February 10, 202629 min

Ep 88: Rugged devices & body worn cameras: the frontline convergence

In this episode, we dive into Omdia's latest market reports on body worn cameras and broadband critical communications, exploring how frontline device convergence is creating a unified data ecosystem for mission critical operations.The discussion covers the evolution from hardware bloat to intelligent orchestration, the transitional period of hybrid devices, and the expansion of critical technologies beyond traditional blue light services.Highlights include• Hardware bloat should be avoided: Technology for technology’s sake is the downfall of the “connected officer”. First responders carrying too many devices could face decision paralysis about which tool to reach for during critical moments. Convergence of technology into one device can address the complexity challenge.• The "connected officer" concept requires orchestration, not just convergence: The right number of specialized devices working together intelligently beats trying to create one Swiss Army knife solution• We're in a massive proof of concept period: Agencies are evaluating hybrid devices that combine narrowband and broadband capabilities, but adoption patterns are still emerging• Commercial sectors are driving new form factors: Retail, healthcare, and logistics are adopting body worn cameras with completely different requirements than emergency services• Real-time video analytics will be a game changer: Live streaming from body cameras is only valuable if AI can process and feed actionable insights back to frontline responders timely and effectively.Top TakeawayMission critical technology adoption is use case driven, not technology driven. The most impactful innovations aren't the most complex or futuristic ones, but those that solve specific operational problems faster and more efficiently than existing methods.👋 Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

January 27, 202635 min

Ep 87: Interworking Functions (IWF) - Bridging Legacy and Next-Generation

In this episode, we discuss the evolution of systems connectivity, including the successful implementation of cross-border communication using Inter-System Interface (ISI) and how this experience laid the foundation for bridging legacy LMR systems with MCX broadband solutions.We are joined by Michel Duits, a Senior Principal Engineer at Norway's Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB), where he leads the proof of concept for interworking functions for Norway's National Public Safety Network. Beyond his work at DSB, Michel co-champions the IWF Working Group at TCCA alongside Harald Ludwig and represents DSB in the EUCCS program, contributing to the development of interoperable and secure communication systems across Europe.Key topics coveredUnderstanding Interworking Functions (IWF)Definition: The bridging functionality that connects LMR systems (Tetra, P25, DMR) with MCX application serversCore Function: Enables communication between different domains through identity mapping, protocol translation, and data transportKey Capability: Press-to-talk functionality across different system standardsImplementation Challenges and SolutionsStarting Point Dilemma: How and where to begin the transition processUser-Centric Approach: Focus on actual user needs rather than theoretical capabilities80/20 Rule: Achieving 80% functionality today is better than waiting for 100% perfectionPhased Implementation: Breaking down large infrastructure projects into manageable stepsMultiple Pathways to InteroperabilityNative Interworking Function (Ideal but limited vendor support)ISI (Inter-System Interface) - Primary focus of current developmentAPI-based Solutions - For control room integrationProprietary Systems - Not recommended due to vendor lock-inCurrent Proof of Concept InitiativeTimeline: Started 18 months ago with TCCA working groupCollaboration: Working with Sweden, Finland, and interested vendorsApproach: Moving from simulators and emulators to real system testingGoal: Demonstrate end-to-end communication between Tetra terminals and MCX applicationsMichel's 5-Year Industry VisionCollaboration Over Competition: Industry players putting aside egos to work togetherOpen Standardized Ecosystems: Systems that allow organizations to transition at their own pace and budgetAccelerated Development: Faster industry response to what Michel describes as "the clearest commercial business case in 25 years"Knowledge Sharing: More transparency and cooperation between industry stakeholders👋 Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

January 13, 202628 min

Ep 86: Looking ahead to 2026

In this episode, we look ahead to 2026 and explore the trends, technologies, and challenges set to shape the year across critical communications, public safety, and mission-critical operations.We’re joined once again by the team from Informa, Alfonso, Donny, and Erin, for a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from AI and cybersecurity to interoperability, platforms, video, drones, and emerging threat vectors.🔹 What’s Coming at IWCE 2026 We kick things off with a look at IWCE 2026, marking its 50th edition and returning to Las Vegas. Highlights include:Record-breaking speaker submissions and growing momentumA near-complete agenda already liveAI appearing across sessions — not as a standalone topic, but embedded everywhereThe return of major industry voices and vendors in forceIWCE once again sets the tone for the year ahead in critical communications.🤖 AI Everywhere — Opportunity and Risk AI is a dominant theme for 2026, but not without complexity:AI-enhanced common operating pictures, alerting, and workflowsTraining, ethics, legal implications, and hallucination risksAI as both a defensive tool and a new threat vectorWe explore how AI will quietly permeate nearly every system, even when it’s not obvious from the headline.🔐 Cybersecurity: From Theory to Reality Cybersecurity remains a top priority — but the conversation is shifting:Real-world attacks driving urgency over theoretical discussionsBroadband, cloud, and remote access expanding attack surfacesZero-trust architectures becoming essential, not optionalLegacy systems like LMR now exposed through remote monitoringAI is also changing the cybersecurity landscape — for both attackers and defenders.🎭 Deepfakes, Disinformation, and Trust One of the most sobering discussions centers on AI-generated deepfakes:Fake images, video, and audio triggering real-world shutdownsPublic safety and transport systems facing new verification challengesThe evolution of “swatting” into AI-enabled disinformationWe discuss the growing need for multi-factor verification of information, combining video, sensors, telemetry, and contextual data to validate reality.🔄 Interoperability and the Shift to Platforms A major structural shift is underway:Moving from product-centric solutions to platform-based ecosystemsInteroperability evolving from point-to-point bridges to 360° platformsAPIs and standard interfaces enabling best-of-breed integrationsM&A activity accelerating platform expansionThis transition promises efficiency and flexibility — but also introduces new risks that must be managed carefully.🎥 Video Takes Center Stage Video is poised to become central to public safety operations in 2026:Body-worn cameras expanding beyond traditional vendorsDirect video to emergency servicesVideo as a core component of the common operating pictureThe convergence of video, broadband, and platforms is reshaping command and control environments.🚁 Drones, Satellites, and the Digital Airspace We explore the rapid growth of drones as first responders (DFR):Beyond visual line of sight operations gaining momentumGeofencing, remote control, and automation improving deploymentPotential use of LEO satellites as “towers in the sky”Expanding use cases in rural, mountainous, and hard-to-reach areasThis opens new possibilities for search and rescue, situational awareness, and faster response times.🌐 IoT, Telemetry, and Data Verification AI threats may actually revive IoT:Sensors as independent verification sourcesTelemetry supporting smarter grids, utilities, transport, and public safetyMulti-source validation reducing reliance on a single data inputThe future points toward authentication of information, not just people.👋 Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

December 18, 202530 min

Ep 85: 2025 year in review - The defining moments in critical communications

In this special end-of-year wrap-up episode of the Crit Comms Circle, we look back at 2025 and reflect on the key developments that shaped the critical communications industry over the past 12 months.Joined by Alfonso, Donny, and Erin, the team revisits the announcements, trends, and market shifts that moved the industry from discussion to action. From ESN milestones and MCX momentum to AI adoption, satellite connectivity, defense investments, and major M&A activity, this episode captures the themes that defined the year—and why they matter.If 2025 felt like a year where long-promised technologies finally became real, this episode explains why.Key Topics Discussed 🔹 ESN Progress & InteroperabilityIBM selected as the ESN User Services Supplier at the start of 2025Growing confidence in LMR–Broadband coexistenceEtherstack selected for interoperability in both UK ESN (TETRA) and AT&T FirstNet (P25)What these decisions signal for long-term ESN delivery and industry confidence🔹 MCX: From Trials to Commercial RealityMCX contracts and partnerships accelerating globallyFrance’s RRF moving into commercial operationsStreamwide’s expanding footprint in Europe and North AmericaSamsung, Airbus, Leonardo, Nokia, Ericsson, and L3Harris reshaping the MCX ecosystemLegacy LMR vendors positioning themselves for broadband futures🔹 Major M&A ActivityMotorola Solutions’ acquisitions of RapidDeploy and Silvus TechnologiesAxon’s acquisitions of Prepared and CarbyneOver $6B spent on acquisitions by two vendors alone in 2025Why Silvus signals the growing importance of defense and non-public-safety verticals🔹 Defense & GeopoliticsNATO’s increased defense spending targetsCommunications modernization beyond weapon systemsTactical, infrastructure-less comms and resilience in contested environmentsHow defense innovation historically feeds back into public safety🔹 Next-Gen 911 (NG911)AI’s role in handling non-emergency callsReal-world progress on ESInet-to-ESInet interoperabilityMaryland’s blueprint for seamless inter-jurisdiction call and data transfersReducing re-keying errors and dispatcher workload🔹 AI Adoption in Critical CommunicationsFindings from the Emerging Critical Tech Survey61% of organizations piloting or evaluating AI in 202581% expect AI to play a moderate or major role in the next 3–5 yearsEarly AI use cases: translation, triage support, automation of routine tasksAI as an enabler—not a replacement—for emergency professionals🔹 Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) & SatellitesT-Mobile’s T-Priority launch in the USAST SpaceMobile tests on FirstNet spectrumEuropean sovereign satellite initiatives involving Airbus, Thales, and LeonardoLEO, MEO, and GEO satellites as complementary—not competing—solutionsWhy satellite + terrestrial integration is no longer theoretical👉 Tune back in January for our “2026 Year Ahead” episode, where we break down expectations for the year to come.👋 Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

November 11, 202525 min

Ep 84: Unifying the emergency response workflow

In this episode, we explore one of the biggest shifts shaping today’s mission-critical communications industry: the evolution toward unified platforms. As public safety operations become increasingly data-driven, the line between voice, data, and multimedia continues to blur. This change is driving agencies to seek greater interoperability, flexibility, and—above all—choice.With the recent announcement of Zetron’s new end-to-end critical communications platform, Salus, we dive into how unified architectures can streamline emergency workflows without forcing agencies into vendor lock-in.We're joined by Scott French, President & Executive General Manager at Zetron, who brings more than 35 years of experience across global leaders including Motorola and Panasonic. Scott shares his perspective on what next-generation platforms mean for public safety, why timing and emerging tech (AI, cloud) matter, and how Salus has been designed from the ground up to support diverse operational needs.💡 Top TakeawaysThe industry isn’t asking for fewer vendors—it’s asking for greater choice and interoperability.Unified platforms must be designed around operational workflows, not just technology layers.A shared UX across emergency response stages can reduce latency and error.Cloud-first strategies allow faster innovation, but hybrid + on-prem will remain essential depending on service and policy needs.Openness is key—platforms must integrate beyond their own vendor ecosystem.Agencies should shift away from assuming that “one vendor = best experience.”👋 Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

October 28, 202546 min

Ep 83: Global trends: Signals you can't ignore

In this special episode of the Crit Comms Circle podcast, we're sharing the audio from our recent guest appearance on Making Waves, the podcast hosted by DAMM Cellular. We joined Lone Hansen, Stuart Will, and Hauke Holm over at their podcast, Making Waves, for a conversation that spanned the global trends we're seeing across the industry.This big-picture conversation explores where the industry is heading - from PMR/LMR to broadband, from fragmented systems to integrated platforms, and from hardware sales to service models. The discussion covers the massive transformation underway, driven by digitalization and billions in investment, tackling macro trends, PMR vs. hybrid systems, cybersecurity urgency, and AI's role in first responder operations.Key Topics Covered:Emerging tech and vendor trends, including platform-based control rooms and AI's dual threat/promiseGlobal investment patterns and regional adoption barriersSystem deployment challenges, integration issues, and resilience planningThe role of government, policy, and standards in shaping industry outcomesPractical advice for buyers on prioritizing standards and ensuring network flexibilityThis episode offers a front-row look at the data, policies, and decisions defining the next decade of critical communications, featuring privileged insider perspectives from Omdia's leading experts.Listen to the original Making Waves episode here:SpreakerApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeDAMM websiteTimeline:00:00 Introduction03:55 The big picture11:20 Reliability market realities and friction points22:15 Investment, innovation & cost of ownership30:31 Security, regulation & resilience36:13 Looking ahead44:20 Wrap-upThis cross-podcast collaboration brings you valuable insights from multiple perspectives in the critical communications space.👋 Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

October 14, 202530 min

Ep 82: Busting the top 5 cloud computing myths

In this episode, we unpack one of the biggest shifts in the public safety landscape: the move to the cloud. We are joined by Rohan Galloway-Dawkins, Chief Product Officer at Versaterm, to tackle and bust the top five myths that often surround cloud adoption in emergency services. From concerns about data security and control to questions of connectivity and interoperability.Top 5 myths discussed:Myth #1: Cloud migration automatically means the provider handles all your security.Reality: Security in the cloud follows a shared responsibility model. Providers secure the infrastructure, but agencies must manage their own policies, compliance and user practices.Myth #2: Moving to the cloud means losing control of your data.Reality: Your data remains yours. With clear contracts and responsible vendors, agencies retain full ownership and control. It's a partnership, not a handover.Myth #3: Cloud systems can't work in rural or low-connectivity areas.Reality: With proper planning and redundancy, modern connectivity (including satellite and multi-ISP solutions) makes reliable cloud access achievable almost anywhere.Myth #4: Mission critical systems like CAD are too important to move to the cloud.Reality: Cloud platforms now offer higher availability, reliability, and disaster recovery capabilities than most on-prem setups. In fact, by 2030, over 80% of CADs systems are forecasted to be cloud-based.Myth #5: Cloud solutions make interoperability harder.Reality: Quite the opposite. Cloud systems enhance interoperability by making it easier to share data and coordinate across jurisdictions, although careful planningand governance remain key.👋 Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

September 30, 202546 min

Ep 81: From the lab to the tracks - Making FRMCS a reality

Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) has been set up to provide railways with a standardized, future-proof communication solution capable of supporting advanced rail operations and services. FRMCS builds on 3GPP-based 5G standalone and mission-critical (MCX) architectures to support the new ETCS as a replacement for GSM-R. But the path towards FRMCS is way more than a straight-forward technology upgrade. The development of FRMCS is a testament to the power of collaboration among diverse stakeholders across the railway ecosystem.In this episode, we're joined by Marta Fontecha and Raquel Frisa from Teltronic (www.teltronic.es/en/transport/), who share first-hand insights, from lab trials to field pilot deployments like their upcoming high-speed trial, in collaboration with the Spanish railway operator Adif. The discussion highlights the key learnings to make FRMCS the backbone of safer, more efficient railway transportation networks.👋 Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com