Police union is concerned about the future of government digital radio

The police union (GdP) is very concerned that the needs of the security authorities could be ignored in the ongoing discussions about the future distribution of broadband frequencies. In the worst case scenario, “the maintenance of public safety and order would be at an existential threat,” warns the union. In a draft for a European Union strategy for the use of existing frequencies beyond 2030, three different scenarios were outlined, said GdP federal chairman Jochen Kopelke. In none of these scenarios is there any indication of the frequencies assigned to the police and emergency services.

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Own mobile and highly available broadband network

The GdP had already expressed its concerns in a letter to the members of the responsible EU committee at the end of August. In it, she stated that in order for German authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS) to be able to optimally cope with operations such as terrorist situations or natural disasters, their own mobile and highly available broadband network was essential. A switch to commercial Cellular-Infrastructure is not possible. These are not developed for crisis and disaster situations and do not offer digital sovereignty.

Last fall, the Interior Ministers’ Conference underlined “the importance of obtaining broadband-suitable frequencies in a bandwidth of at least 60 MHz in the 470-694 MHz range for the 2023 World Radio Conference” in order to be able to achieve the goal of having its own modern broadband network for the BOS with sufficient advance notice. The conference, which will focus on future distribution, will take place in Dubai from November 20th to December 15th.

A study by the Federal Digital Radio Agency of authorities and organizations with security tasks from May 2022 stated: “According to the current status, there are no longer any new frequencies to be developed for the period after 2030 for the operation of a nationwide BOS communications network for mission-critical BOS communications available in the Federal Republic of Germany.” It is assumed that the frequencies that will become available at the end of 2033, especially in the 700 MHz and 900 MHz ranges, will continue to be dedicated to public mobile communications.

(bme)