Cyber Crime and Cyber Terrorism

CURRENT TRENDS OF PPDR (I.E., TETRA) TECHNOLOGY
The majority of PPDR organizations in Europe currently use dedicated PMR net-
works, designed specifically to meet their needs, for their communications. Typically 
TETRA (or TETRAPOL), and operating in the 380-400 MHz spectrum band. These 
networks offer a range of low rate data services, but the speed and capacity available 
limits more widespread use of higher-speed data applications. In line with societal 
trends for access to information on the move, PPDR operations are becoming in-
creasingly information driven, requiring access to a wider range of wideband and 
broadband applications. Given the limitations in capacity of existing dedicated net-
works to deliver mobile broadband services, it is considered likely that a new gen-
eration of solutions will be required across Europe in the next 5-10 years, too meet 
future PPDR demands. These solutions, if delivered using new dedicated mobile 
broadband networks that are designed to meet PPDR requirements, will still require 
additional spectrum to deliver the required services effectively.
The trend for current and future PPDR mobile data and multimedia applications 
that is being foreseen to cover a range of needs was highlighted above. Alongside these 
are a number of specific operational requirements that are essential for PPDR com-
munications, in order to ensure the availability, reliability and integrity of networks, 
which include: High levels of network availability; High degree of network control 
(implementing prioritized access for specific user groups or individuals, and reserving 
capacity where required); Near nationwide geographic coverage (communicating in 
remote areas); Security; Low latency (end-to-end voice delay of no more than 200 ms); 

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CHAPTER 18
Evolution of TETRA
Interoperability between different PPDR authorities and across borders; Highly resil-
ient networks (various layers of redundancy); and Ability to support mixed traffic.
Within the PPDR sector, the above demand for access to a wider range of applica-
tions and services is driven by changes in working practices, which creates require-
ments for access to a far wider range of data sources (textual, images, and video) that 
are typical in commercial mobile networks. Sharing of these data is being used in or-
der to establish and maintain a common operational picture between PPDR agencies 
and between field and central command staff. This is used to improve responsive-
ness, aid the deployment of resources, and improve timeliness and decision making 
in daily PPDR operations; when responding to major planned and unplanned events.
As there is a limit to the range and volume of data and multimedia applications 
that existing (and possibly future) dedicated narrowband and wideband networks 
(and existing commercial networks) can provide, if a new-generation PPDR network 
is not made available, some of the envisaged applications would not be delivered. 
Ultimately, this will affect how already emerging changes to the ways of working 
within the PPDR sector might evolve, and in the longer term, constrain the further 
development of the sector.