EADS equips Romanian officials with TETRA radio communicators to improve border security

A car's licence plate number can be checked directly on location in the database stored in the portable reader

• Romanian Ministry of Interior and Administration representatives shown state-of-the-art communication capabilities
• Strong cooperation between the Romanian authorities and EADS Defence & Security on border security opens the door

Capabilities of the EADS TETRA network were shown by EADS Defence & Security (DS) during a TETRA Demonstration, in the context of the Romanian border protection and compliance to the Schengen Agreement.

The TETRA/TEDS (TETRA Enhanced Data Service) Demonstration was attended by senior representatives of the Ministry of Interior and Administration. In addition representatives of the Special Telecommunications Service, the Ministry of National Defence, as well as other public institutions tasked with the protection of national safety and order were present.

TEDS is the high-speed data evolution of the TETRA radio communication standard. DS showed several TETRA data capabilities, including the sharing of images using the ‘instant image broadcast' system, the triggering of an electronic display by means of short text messages, and the verification of vehicle licence plates.

DS was awarded the contract to provide Romania with an integrated border security system in 2004

The function for sharing images using the instant image broadcast system makes it possible to simply send the photo or image of a suspicious person or activity to nearby officers on foot patrol, all with just one click of a key.

Short text messages can be used to trigger an electronic display, and they could control other devices as well. As shown in the demonstration, for example, an alarm signal received by a fire station can be configured to generate a message that will automatically open the fire station door, turn on the lights, start the exhaust fans, and even switch on the traffic lights in front of the fire station.

Another data capability presented to the Romanian audience was the car licence plate checking function, which can be easily applied by police officers in the field. A car's licence plate number can be checked directly on location in the database stored in the portable reader, or remotely if the reader is connected to a TETRA terminal.

DS have a strong reputation for successful cooperation and working in Romania. DS was awarded the contract to provide Romania with an integrated border security system in 2004. Subsequently, the Romanian Ministry of Administration and Interior and EADS Deutschland GmbH signed the Extended First Detailed Appendix to the Contract in July 2009 concluded with a view to achieving and implementing the Integrated System for the Security of the Romanian External State Border Phase 1. The project is currently in progress.

Secure and reliable communication is one of the prerequisites for successful crisis operations carried out by public safety forces and public instructions tasked with the protection of national security. The same TETRA radio network which the Romanian Government already uses for communication and dispatching can also enable many extremely useful data applications, as demonstrated. It is also the cornerstone of national security systems.