EADS Defence & Security has joined forces with State Security Networks Ltd., operator of the Finnish VIRVE network, to start testing the TETRA Enhanced Data Service (TEDS) as of May 2010. The work will be conducted on a test network with the same characteristics as the live VIRVE authority network, apart from the TEDS-capable software.

TEDS is the high-speed data evolution of the TETRA radio communication standard. A TEDS-capable TETRA network will provide significantly faster data services than today’s TETRA networks without compromising any of the technology’s high security or coverage capabilities. TEDS is considered to be the most cost-effective way to introduce wide area high-speed capability for TETRA users.

EADS Defence & Security was the first vendor to demonstrate TEDS in June 2007 and has continued to develop the software in order to run the system on existing EADS TETRA hardware as well as developing TEDS-capable TETRA radios. System elements and trial terminals for the VIRVE test network will be delivered in April/May this year.

“Public authorities need high-speed data capabilities in their radio communication networks to enhance their field operations,” said Dirk Borchardt, Head of Security and Communication Solutions at EADS Defence & Security. “They also need high-speed data to be reliable, secure and available over a wide area. TEDS can meet these strict requirements.”

Kimmo Manni, CEO of State Security Networks Ltd., added, “VIRVE has been on the cutting edge of TETRA ever since the late 1990s, when Finland pioneered the adoption of TETRA technology in everyday use. High-speed data is the natural next step. Our goal is to have a large number of organizations and users testing the new high-speed data functions in action. The testers will have the benefit of using their experience as a basis for developing new operational processes and working methods.”