PARIS, March 28 (UPI) -- French fire and rescue services are receiving satellite communications capabilities from Cassidian and Astrium Services.
The companies have completed validation tests for their remote solution, which links Tetrapol tactical cells.
The tests showed that several tactical cells from Cassidian can be remotely linked to extend tactical radio coverage via the satellite communications service provided by Astrium Services on behalf of the French General Directorate of Civil Security and Crisis Management, Cassidian said.
"The remote linking of the Tetrapol tactical cell via satellite is the result of the technical collaboration and active involvement of teams at Cassidian and Astrium Services," said Jean-Marc Nasr, head of Secure Communication Solutions at Cassidian.
"Thanks to the expertise of these two entities within the EADS Group, we are now in a position to offer civil security, public safety in France and abroad, and all users of Tetrapol networks, an operational solution allowing tactical cells to be remotely linked via satellite in areas which are overloaded or not covered by the PMR network."
The first operational use of the solution is scheduled for next spring. Cassidian's tactical cell 3G Independent Digital Repeater and 2G Radio Access Gatewill be installed in command post, light radio assistance and communications vehicles and satellite trailers belonging to the Civil Security and Crisis Management organization.
Self-deploying satellite equipment supplied by Astrium Services.
