Squire Technologies future proofing critical transport communications

Critical Transport Communications (CTC) are often taken for granted until they fail. When boarding a plane or train or starting your car, you don’t think about the communications technology linking you to emergency services. You just want to get to your destination quickly and safely.

However, governments and businesses constantly worry about CTC failures, weighing risks against costly system overhauls. Unfortunately, the longer a necessary upgrade is avoided, the higher the risk of a life-threatening event.

In January 2023, in the USA, a disaster was averted when the FAA grounded all flights after discovering corrupted files on its Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system and the backup system. The outdated NOTAM system, in place since 1947, transmits vital information to pilots about weather hazards, infrastructure, and ground conditions. The corrupted files put 5,000 flights at risk, and the grounding cost the country millions of dollars. The incident has also drawn a sharp focus on CTC systems.

Tech innovations, new regulations, and shifts in societal expectations can rapidly place systems into a legacy state, which can be fatal when things go wrong. So, those involved in CTC must constantly ensure that systems are fit for purpose.

In Europe, high-speed trains and connected cars have both been affected by changes to communications networks and new technologies that have undermined CTC systems. A problem up ahead on a railway track can become a catastrophe in seconds with a high-speed train travelling at 500km/h (310 mph). Train drivers need clear and immediate communication connections for safety updates. Similarly, outdated eCall systems risk lives if poor connectivity issues delay emergency service calls.

“Road traffic crashes now represent the eighth leading cause of death globally. They claim more than 1.35 million lives each year and cause up to 50 million injuries. And, the fact is, every one of those deaths and injuries is preventable”.

Michael Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries

Despite these concerns, businesses should not panic. CTC upgrades are becoming easier and less costly. Squire Technologies has been improving CTC systems around the world, providing cost-effective, future-proof solutions that make infrastructure overhauls unnecessary.

For example, the next generation eCall (NG-eCall) offer of a major European fleet management software company is safe thanks to Squire Technologies’ multi-generation network solutions. The upgrade enables their NG-eCalls to work across the various network generations, improving emergency service response times and increasing the data quality cars transmit to emergency services. It also means that cars with the feature will adhere to the latest European eCall standards.

When Deutsche Telekom moved to an IMS network, Europe’s largest high-speed railway operator adapted, using Squire Technologies’ Sigla platform. Deploying the platform enabled their private network to connect with Deutsche Telekom’s IMS, meaning vital safety information from across the railway network could be transmitted to drivers quickly, clearly, and effectively. Altering their existing system saved the railway operator from a costly CTC overhaul, and the railway’s communications system will continue to work with any mobile operators that upgrade their networks to 5G and beyond.

Aviation is another area where Squire Technologies has had an impact on CTC. A partnership between Squire Technologies and Calian, Advanced Technologies has delivered a world-leading aviation communications solution. The solution supports a global satellite service that allows flight crews and passengers to communicate with terrestrial networks, including transmitting data, voice, and mission-critical safety services from air traffic control. This mission-critical function helps keep our skies safe.

Businesses need to recognise that solutions are available that may make costly overhauls obsolete. When a third party updates its systems, it no longer means that an entire CTC system is subsequently made redundant.

“The knock-on effects of third-party system updates, and the speed at which technology changes mean that critical transport communication infrastructure that was adequate a few years ago might now be dangerously outdated,” says Melissa Webb, Head of Marketing at Squire Technologies. “We are proud to work with global businesses like Calian, Advanced Technologies to deliver cost-effective, future-proof solutions that keep pace with their innovation and rapid expansion. Solutions that enable routine adaptions of their infrastructure, ultimately making transport safer.”

Douglas Bryce, Marketing Communication Specialist at Squire Technologies

Winner of a UK Government ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ award for digital exports 2023.

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