The Supply of Tetra Based Device to Device Remote Speaker Microphone (RSM) for use with LTE Handheld Mobile Devices on the Emergency Services Network (ESN)

ESMCP plans to enter into a market engagement exercise to discuss its potential requirements with potential suppliers in the market of provision of device to device communications such that the Authority may establish a commercial strategy for the supply of its potential requirements. The market engagement exercise does not form part of the potential procurement process or obligate the Authority into any action.

The ESMCP aims to provide an integrated critical voice and broadband data communications service for the Emergency Services in Great Britain that meets the public safety requirements for coverage, functionality, availability and security. The chosen technology is based on an enhanced commercial network that is configured to give the 3 Emergency Services (the "3ES") priority over other users. ESMCP completed those procurements under OJEU Contract Notice reference 2014/S 077-133654.

Additional information on the Authority and the main ESN procurement can be found at http://ow.ly/JAPp100Blvo

Within the Authority, the Devices projects have the responsibility to provide User Organisations with fully approved handheld devices, which have been tested to ensure that they deliver the performance and functionality for ESN, and do not pose a risk to the security or integrity of the service. The User Organisations requiring LTE Mobile Handheld Devices and Accessories for the Emergency Services Network (ESN) includes Police, Fire, Ambulance, other non-Authority Police services and Other organisations that currently utilise TETRA.

The Authority undertook a procurement for the award of a contract to a single provider, Samsung (UK) Limited under a framework agreement to supply "ESN ready" ruggedized handheld devices in 2017 and that framework agreement continues to operate for use by ESN user organisations. Under the framework agreement, Samsung developed and tested a ruggedized handheld device to ESN requirements to be supplied for testing ESN and to be supplied to User Organisations for use on ESN.

The Authority user requirements call for a 'device-to-device' (RSM/D2D) mode of operation for local communication without reliance on the network. In normal operation the RSM/D2D Device acts as an RSM coupled to the ESN LTE Device. The long-term proposal for LTE is to use 3GPP Proximity Services (ProSe) to address this requirement. However, this cannot be implemented within the Authority timescales (for reasons including the immaturity of the standards and the lack of support in current devices and networks). An alternative solution is therefore required to meet the D2D user requirement until such time as a standards-based ProSe solution can be introduced.

With the exception of D2D, the principal communications features will be provided by the ESN LTE handheld device, and the interim D2D/RSM solution is expected to consist of a device, which will supplement the ESN device's functionality as an integrated unit.