Latest tech the focus of NZ conference

A ‘must attend’ event for everyone involved in business- and mission-critical communications.

Comms Connect Auckland — formerly the RFUANZ conference and exhibition (until 2015 when the present events partnership was formed) — returns 2–3 May at a new venue, SKYCITY Auckland.

Building on the success of the previous years, the event will continue to bring the very best in radio and wireless communications — from narrowband radio to PTT-over-cellular, from professional LTE to satellite communications — to those in charge of their organisations’ communications and who use these technologies in their everyday working lives.

Comms Connect Auckland is a must-attend event if you are: a first responder; work in public safety, transport or utilities; operate in the mining, oil and gas or the wider resources sector; work in security, defence, a commercial enterprise or government department; or if you’re active in any other sector that uses radio and converged communications.

The conference will include technical presentations, case studies and workshops presented by a line-up of 30-plus local and international speakers and subject matter experts. The opening address will given by Len Starling, Manager Policy & Planning at New Zealand’s Radio Spectrum Management, who will provide an update on spectrum policy issues.

The three plenary sessions will be:

• New Zealand’s nationwide critical communication investment — presented by Assistant Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, Critical Communications Program, New Zealand Police
• The Internet of Everything: How New Zealand’s biggest telco is embracing a connected future — presented by Michael Stribling, General Manager IoT, Spark (see also the Spectrum column in this issue)
• Next-generation critical communications program – a sector approach — Chris Goldsmith, Program Manager, New Zealand Emergency Services

The full program can be found at comms-connect.co.nz, but here’s a small selection of the speaker sessions:

• Kaikoura: RF communications infrastructure one year on — Max Corboy, Downer ITS
• LMR’s position in the changing New Zealand communications landscape — Andrew Miller, TeamTalk
• Best practices with cybersecurity — Simon Probert, Palo Alto Networks New Zealand
• Getting to 5G using innovative fixed wireless technology — Matt Mangriotis, Cambium Networks
• Convergence and graphic user interface development — Steve Watson, Napier Port
• Using facial recognition technology to enhance telco sites and public spaces — Richard Malley, NEC New Zealand
• LPWAN connectivity options as the backbone for Industrial IoT — Iain Hook, Thinxtra
• Is satellite able to fill the gap? — Neil Jamieson, Wireless Innovation

And there’ll also be three workshop sessions:

• Building a radio network from the ground up — presented by Chris Stevens, Surf Life Saving New Zealand
• Cybersecurity considerations when integrating wireless communications into your IT network — Monique Princen, Tenaz Communication Consultancy
• Critical messaging solutions — Brad Welch, TPL Systems Asia Pacific, and Malcolm Briggs, CDI Tellen

Exhibition

The exhibition will cover 1000 square metres and comprise more than 40 exhibitors, including all the big names in the Australasian comms market — led by Platinum Sponsor, Tait Communications, and Gold Sponsor, Kenwood — plus many dedicated New Zealand firms. You can see a full list of exhibitors and sponsors at comms-connect.co.nz/whos-exhibiting.

RFUANZ AGM and Gala Dinner

The RFUANZ is a non-profit organisation whose membership ranges from local government authorities to transport operators, consultancies to radio dealers, and network operators to private individuals. Its mission is to protect, promote and preserve the rights of organisations and individuals who require access to the radio spectrum.

The association’s annual general meeting will take place on the morning of 2 May at the same venue as the conference, followed that evening by the RFUANZ Industry Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner (the venue for which will be the nearby St Matthews In The City). For ticketing and other enquiries, send an email to admin@rfuanz.org.nz or visit www.rfuanz.org.nz.

Essential event

It’s vital that all users of radio and converged communications in business- and mission-critical working environments — as well as dealers, manufacturers or suppliers in this sector — seek out the very latest information, technologies and solutions, and build relationships. Comms Connect Auckland will deliver that opportunity for you and your colleagues. See you there!

**************************************************

Comms Connect Auckland

Conference: 2 May (9 am–5 pm), 3 May (9.30 am–5 pm)

Exhibition: 2 May (9 am–5 pm), 3 May (9 am–3.30 pm)

Where: SKYCITY Auckland, 88 Federal St (skycityauckland.co.nz)

Who: More than 300 delegates and 40-plus exhibitors

Web: comms-connect.co.nz

Follow us and share on Twitter and Facebook