en.Wedoany.com Reported - RugGear, Vodafone, and Airbus Public Safety and Security have announced a tripartite collaboration to deliver integrated mission-critical communications solutions for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) organizations and personnel working in harsh conditions.
RugGear, a German manufacturer of ruggedized devices, will join the existing partnership between Vodafone and a division of Airbus Defence and Space. Under the agreement, the three companies will integrate RugGear's ruggedized devices, two-way radios, and tablets with Vodafone's mission-critical communications (MCx) services and Airbus's collaboration platform Agnet, bringing them to market as a combined product.
RugGear's Android-based devices offer longer battery life, higher durability, and reliability compared to consumer-grade phones. They are tested to military-grade standards and can operate in extreme conditions. The devices feature built-in high-brightness flashlights, sirens, industrial scanners, GPS tracking, and push-to-talk capabilities, targeting PPDR organizations and related personnel who need to work in challenging environments.
Vodafone's MCx service is built on global 3GPP standards, replacing traditional systems like TETRA with encrypted smartphone-based tools, enabling teams to share real-time video updates, drone footage, and critical information in real time. The service prioritizes calls, messages, and data on 4G and 5G networks, with plans to incorporate future direct-to-device (D2D) mobile broadband satellite services. Initially launched in Germany, Vodafone is expanding the service across Europe.
Airbus's critical communications solution, Agnet, operates on top of MCx, connecting field users with control rooms through features such as real-time video feeds, allowing on-site commanders to monitor factors like the surrounding area, traffic conditions, and the actual locations of teams.
The potential customer base for this partnership includes government agencies, energy suppliers, airports, transportation companies, and utilities such as water and electricity providers. Marika Auramo, CEO of Vodafone Business, stated that collaborating with Airbus and RugGear allows organizations to access a complete mission-critical communications solution, combining secure, resilient connectivity, collaborative applications, and rugged devices to help customers protect personnel and the public. Olivier Koczan, Head of Public Safety and Security at Airbus Defence and Space, noted that expanding the partnership with Vodafone by bringing in RugGear will jointly deliver a robust, highly secure communications ecosystem, combining Agnet's advanced collaboration capabilities with RugGear's rugged devices and prioritized 5G connectivity.
Earlier this month, Vodafone Business also expanded its partnership with Geely Technology Europe (GTEU), the R&D arm of Geely Auto Group, to provide in-vehicle internet, private networks, and cloud connectivity solutions, as well as connectivity services for GTEU's operations in Germany and Sweden and its pan-European sales team.
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