Comms Connect online format going strong

The COVID-enforced switch from face-to-face meetings to online conferencing has proven a success, with the Comms Connect Virtual Conference Series attracting a great level of participation.

The prime reasons for that success have been the subject matter covered and the quality of the presenters and their presentations.

The first session, on 5 November, tackled the important topic of cybersecurity and the protection of critical infrastructure such as communications systems… and the use of communications systems to protect critical infrastructure.

NSW Chief Data Scientist Dr Ian Oppermann spoke about the future of society and accelerating technological change. John Beltz and Bill Fisher from NIST in the US spoke about identity systems in the context of the interoperability of communications systems.

Nokia’s Steve Hwang gave a very interesting overview of how South Korea plans to keep its new public safety mobile broadband communications network secure. And SGS ECL’s Peter Jackson spoke about security industrial operational technology.

The second session, yesterday, 12 November, covered private LTE. Simon Lardner spoke of how his company, Challenge Networks, has helped 17 clients deploy private LTE around the world. Randy Richmond from Zetron outlined the sorts of things that customers and systems providers need to consider as they contemplate the switch from LMR to MCPTT command and control systems.

Rui Chen from Commtel Network Solutions gave an interesting insight into some practical considerations for private LTE system design, using a case study as the example of installation of communications for remote pump sites located in dense tropical forest.

Roger Kane from Vicom Australia looked at various aspects of deploying private LTE systems, emphasising the need for complete end-to-end planning, from design to deployment to ongoing use and maintenance. And finally, Rodney Nebe from mining company Gold Fields presented a case study of the company’s impressive deployment and use of PLTE at several of is mines, both above ground and underground.

Next week’s session on Thursday, 19 November, will cover the important topic of location-based services. The speakers and topics will be:

• Station Officer Graham Tait (Fire and Rescue NSW) — How location-based services assist with emergency response and incident management
• Hamish Duff (The Orion Network ANZ) — Location services and digital LMR — critical data over LMR
• Chris Stevens (CartGIS Pty Ltd) — Big data integration: using the power of GIS as an integration tool for spatial and non-spatial data
   

That’ll be followed by the final session, on Thursday, 26 November, which will cover next-generation land mobile systems and how the industry can stay relevant:

• Kevin Graham (ACCF) — Digital LMR powering ahead: how and why?
• Simon Riesen (DAMM Cellular Systems) — Frequency sharing in TETRA
• Neal Richardson (Public Safety Network NZ) — Public Safety Network New Zealand
• Peter Scarlata (Simoco Wireless Solutions) — Next-generation land mobile radio systems — how does the industry keep radio relevant
• Lawrence McKenna (Cumarsaid) — Project engineering a new radio network: tips and pitfalls
   

For more program details and registration information, please go to the Comms Connect website.

And don’t forget WFevents have other online sessions and training courses coming up, the full list of which can be found at comms-connect.com.au.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/denisismagilov