Public safety forces optimise comms during Paris Olympics

During the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, ensuring robust and reliable communication for public safety forces was a top priority. One of the critical tools that proved integral to this effort was the MDR (Mic Dual Radio) by TPL Systèmes. This innovative device played a crucial role not only during the Olympic Torch Relay but also throughout the entire duration of the Games, maintaining secure and seamless communication across various public safety units.

Deployment during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

For the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the French Police and Gendarmerie equipped over 28,000 officers with the MDR to enhance their communication capabilities. This large-scale deployment underscored the importance of the MDR in ensuring that all units, regardless of their location or the communication network they were using, remained connected. The MDR provided dual connectivity, allowing simultaneous communication over both legacy professional mobile radio (PMR) systems and mobile networks through smartphones. This dual capability was particularly vital in maintaining the operational efficiency of over 28,000 officers, enabling them to communicate effectively under any circumstances.

A critical tool for public safety

The MDR’s dual connectivity proved to be something of a game changer during the 2024 Games. It allowed officers to switch seamlessly between PMR networks and 4G/5G mobile networks with MCPTT app, facilitating real-time communication without the need for multiple devices. This feature was especially important given the complexity and scale of the Olympic Games, which required coordinated efforts across various security forces operating in different environments.

The MDR’s robust design, featuring an IP67 rating and MIL-STD compliance, meant that it remained functional in harsh conditions, from heavy rain to dusty environments. With its long battery life, exceeding 20 hours on a single charge, the MDR supported continuous operation throughout the extended shifts typical during such large-scale events.

Advanced features for enhanced security

In order to make it even more efficient, TPL Systèmes will launch a so-called gateway function on the MDR in October 2024. This new function will allow the MDR to relay communications between the smartphone and the PMR radio, providing an additional layer of versatility. In scenarios where certain areas show poor mobile network coverage, the users can talk with the PMR direct mode and all these communications can be relayed to the control room, thanks to the gateway mode active on the MDR. The MDR speaker-mic provides uninterrupted communication by bridging both systems. This feature will be particularly beneficial to interconnect the DMO calls to the management level.

Moreover, the MDR’s customisable push-to-talk (PTT) buttons and OLED display offered officers intuitive control over their communications. They could effortlessly switch channels, adjust settings and stay connected with the appropriate teams, all while maintaining situational awareness.

Conclusion

The MDR (Mic Dual Radio) proved to be an indispensable tool for the French public safety forces during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. By enabling seamless communication across different networks, supporting robust performance under various conditions, the MDR significantly enhanced the operational capabilities of the police and gendarmerie. Throughout the Games, the MDR played a pivotal role in providing safety and security to all involved, demonstrating its value as a critical communication solution for large-scale, high-pressure environments.