Softil claims direct mode success

Softil has announced the successful completion of the first interoperability test of off-network direct mode, at the most recent ETSI Plugtest taking place in Malaga, Spain.

Malaga. Photo credit: Adobe Stock

According to the company, the test involved its BEEHD framework to “validate the interoperability of new MCX vendor products”. The test – the eighth of its kind staged by ETSI – was intended to examine products with 3GPP Release 17 functionality, “FRMCS, eMBMS, interworking function and direct mode”.

Discussing the test, spokesperson said: “During the Malaga Plugtest, [our] team focused on one of the most critical MCX features – ensuring device-to-device communications. Until now, communicating when a network was down was only available on LMR devices. However, Qualcomm’s 5G-Sidelink technology now allows devices to discover each other and communicate without network connectivity.

“Softil, together with Alea, demonstrated the first ever interoperable direct mode communication using devices powered by [the Qualcomm technology].”

Director of products and standards at Softil, Anatoli Levine, said: “By ensuring interoperability of MCX products and solutions, the industry spurs choice, economies of scale, confidence in the new technology and allows operators to choose best-of-breed solutions. With complete interoperability of systems, first responders can communicate together at all times, irrespective of MCX vendor products being used.

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