Hytera MCPTT solution wins industry ICCA award

Hytera Communications has received the award of “Best use of critical communications in utilities” with its entry “LECO Electricity MCPTT” at the International Critical Communications Awards (ICCAs) 2023 ceremony, held in Helsinki, Finland on 23 May. The awards, presented by the Critical Communications Association (TCCA), recognise the success of products, organisations and individuals that have pushed boundaries and capabilities within the field of critical communications. Earlier in April, Hytera’s seven entries were shortlisted by the ICCAs.

The mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) deployment highlights a clear path for the migration of the private communications network in the utility sector. Working with local partner Dialog Enterprise, Hytera deployed a customised MCPTT system for LECO, Lanka Electricity Company. As the rapid-response arm of the Ceylon Electricity Board, LECO provides electrical services to underserved areas and works with a state-of-the-art radio communications system based on MCPTT over 4G-LTE technology to cover service grids in Galle, Moratuwa, Kalutara, Negombo, Kelaniya, Kotte, and Nugegoda. If cellular network coverage is not available, Hytera’s dual-mode rugged radios support device-to-device (D2D) communication empowered by Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) technology. While it provides the versatility of MCPTT to serve utility companies, the project also demonstrates how product innovations, such as dual-mode radios, can win the user’s buy-ins in technology adoption.

Athula P. De Silva, Chairman of LECO, said the MCPTT solution operates at a higher priority than internet services, while the device-to-device communication mode is a huge plus for LECO. “Because when connectivity is interrupted due to unforeseeable circumstances — like a sudden violent storm, for instance — we are the professionals whose job it is to bring the network back up. With this, our dispatchers and field engineers are in constant touch since we are in complete control of our own internal communication channel. So, in the event of an outage, power can be restored much faster. MCPTT solution is a perfect fit for our requirements,” De Silva said.

The Hytera HyTalk MC Mission Critical Services (MC) system is a multimedia mission-critical communication solution designed for sectors such as public safety, utilities and transportation. It is compliant with the 3GPP MC standards including MCPTT, MCData and MCVideo. It provides voice and video communication, high-speed data transfer and multimedia dispatch services for daily operations. Prior Quality of Service (QoS) of HyTalk MC is included on the servers of the MCPTT platform provider and on the mobile operator’s network. This end-to-end QoS ensures that critical communications users are given the highest priority available over other commercial users. HyTalk MC also enables Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) to LTE interoperability, so that it allows connections among different task forces.

“The award is a great recognition to all the stakeholders of this project, including LECO and Dialog. This case epitomises how technological advancements are introduced and adopted to empower professionals from the utility sector. Hytera is humbled to see itself becoming a frequent participant and winner of ICCAs. Thank you to the panel and congratulations to all the winners of ICCAs 2023,” said Ming Kam Wong, deputy GM of Hytera overseas business.

Image caption: Tony Gray, former CEO of TCCA, presenting the ICCA award to Hytera representative (on the right). Image credit: Business Wire