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Innovation & Vision

The forerunner of the BroadWay project is project BroadMap. BroadMap was funded under topic DRS-18-2015 from May 2016 to April 2017 and it delivered its core goals:

  • To collect, assess and validate the PPDR’s wireless broadband communication existing requirements
  • To establish a core set of specifications to fulfil the requirements
  • To define transition roadmaps for research and standardisation for future evolution of European interoperable radio communication solutions, within legal procurement constraints
  • To prepare the ground for a new eco-system to catalyse new applications, services and processes making use of broadband capabilities for public safety and security
  • To utilise the strength of the PPDR community through our partners, their expertise, knowledge, networks and relations with the aim to achieving interoperability across Europe. This importantly includes nuances of societal differences, including different cultures, geography, processes and legal frameworks

BroadMap was a partnership of 15 potential buyers/end users from 15 countries, 8 of which are responsible ministries. 48 further organisations provided initial support, including end users, ministries and agencies all with an interest in broadband for public safety.

BroadWay – Innovation Procurement

The BroadWay project will take the first procurement steps to enable ‘interoperable next generation of broadband radio communication systems for public safety and security’ to improve Public Safety and Disaster relief organisation’s (PPDR’s) service to Europe’s citizens and enhance interoperability across borders.

The primary goal of this project is to:

Procure Innovation activity to develop and demonstrate TRL8 technologies that will enable a pan-European interoperable broadband mobile system for PPDR, validated by sustainable testing facilities

This project implements a Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) with the purpose to realise innovative solutions for the implementation of the ‘SpiceNet Reference’ architecture to all European countries. This will include, and not be limited to, those important mission critical broadband services, and provision for an application and service eco-system that will make use of these services. Important outcomes are expected here regarding the availability of technology solutions. Technology solutions…

  • …used in each country will be interoperable
  • …will become more technically mature, catalysed by PCP activity
  • …will become lowest cost, due a richer and competitive supplier eco-system
  • …will not be locked into individual suppliers
  • …will provide efficiency gains to and not provide hindrance to PPDR operations

BroadWay activities:

  • Activity 1 – Procurement Preparation: Prior Information notice, Open market Consultation, Contract notice and Call for tenders. Supplier selection will be made here. Different suppliers will be chosen to deliver test capability, and for final solution development
  • Activity 2 – Design: Suppliers will carry out designs, in parallel, for a) Test and b) Final Solution capability
  • Activity 3 – Prototype– Suppliers will carry out prototype development in parallels for a) Test and b) Final Solution capability. Test prototypes will be delivered earlier than prototype solutions, allowing time for the buyers’ team to evaluate the testing prototypes before using them to test the submitted solution prototypes.
  • Activity 4 – Pilot Test and Demonstration: Similarly, test capability will be delivered earlier to allow for its own evaluation before being used during the final pilot testing.
  • Activity 5 – Sustainability – Establishment of a Legal Entity:BroadMap recommended that Phase 0 of SEC-04 be deferred to allow the formation of the legal entity during the PCP project. BroadMap recommended to form a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) during the project due to the complexity of forming such an entity between our partners, many of which represent governments with complex decision making processes.

Activity 5 is carried out in parallel to the first 4 activities which constitute the PCP phases of design, prototype and pilot demonstration following selection of suppliers.

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