Omdia Crit Comms Circle

Omdia Crit Comms Circle

Welcome to the Crit Comms Circle, the podcast bringing you market insight direct from Omdia analysts, exploring all facets of the critical communications industry. This podcast is hosted by Paul Bremner, Principal Analyst in Omdia's Critical Communications and Public Safety team. Paul has more than 10 years' experience providing industry insights for clients, regularly presenting at company and industry association events. Based in the UK, Paul holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Exeter. If it’s your first time listening, then thanks for coming, and welcome to the Circle. Have a topic you’d like to discuss on the show? Interested in joining as a guest? Get in touch with us at critcommscircle@omdia.com

Episodes

Ep 90: The importance of BWC in mission critical environments

March 10, 2026 • 33 mins
In this episode, Paul speaks with Martin Ekman, Global Business Development Director for Axis Body Worn Solutions at Axis Communications, about the rapid expansion of body-worn cameras beyond traditional law enforcement into enterprise markets like retail, healthcare, transportation, and utilities. Martin shares insights on how mission-critical features, connectivity advances, and evolving use cases are driving adoption across dive...
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Ep 89: How are utilities going to keep the lights on in an AI world?

February 24, 2026 • 28 mins
In this episode, Alfonso de la Cruz sits down with Ozge Russell, Senior Analyst at Omdia's Smart Building and Energy team, fresh from DistribuTech 2026 in San Diego. Together, they unpack why utilities are facing their most significant transformation since electrification began, and how grid edge intelligence is becoming the frontline defense against complexity, outages, and skyrocketing demand.

Highlights include:
  • 90% of US grid...
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Ep 88: Rugged devices & body worn cameras: the frontline convergence

February 10, 2026 • 29 mins
In this episode, we dive into Omdia's latest market reports on body worn cameras and broadband critical communications, exploring how frontline device convergence is creating a unified data ecosystem for mission critical operations.

The discussion covers the evolution from hardware bloat to intelligent orchestration, the transitional period of hybrid devices, and the expansion of critical technologies beyond traditional blue light s...
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Ep 87: Interworking Functions (IWF) - Bridging Legacy and Next-Generation

January 27, 2026 • 35 mins
In this episode, we discuss the evolution of systems connectivity, including the successful implementation of cross-border communication using Inter-System Interface (ISI) and how this experience laid the foundation for bridging legacy LMR systems with MCX broadband solutions.

We are joined by Michel Duits, a Senior Principal Engineer at Norway's Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB), where he leads the proof of concept for interwo...
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Ep 86: Looking ahead to 2026

January 13, 2026 • 28 mins
In this episode, we look ahead to 2026 and explore the trends, technologies, and challenges set to shape the year across critical communications, public safety, and mission-critical operations.

We’re joined once again by the team from Informa, Alfonso, Donny, and Erin, for a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from AI and cybersecurity to interoperability, platforms, video, drones, and emerging threat vectors.

🔹 What’s Comin...
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Ep 85: 2025 year in review - The defining moments in critical communications

December 18, 2025 • 30 mins
In this special end-of-year wrap-up episode of the Crit Comms Circle, we look back at 2025 and reflect on the key developments that shaped the critical communications industry over the past 12 months.

Joined by Alfonso, Donny, and Erin, the team revisits the announcements, trends, and market shifts that moved the industry from discussion to action. From ESN milestones and MCX momentum to AI adoption, satellite connectivity, defense ...
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Ep 84: Unifying the emergency response workflow

November 11, 2025 • 25 mins
In this episode, we explore one of the biggest shifts shaping today’s mission-critical communications industry: the evolution toward unified platforms. As public safety operations become increasingly data-driven, the line between voice, data, and multimedia continues to blur. This change is driving agencies to seek greater interoperability, flexibility, and—above all—choice.

With the recent announcement of Zetron’s new end-to-end cr...
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Ep 83: Global trends: Signals you can't ignore

October 28, 2025 • 46 mins
In this special episode of the Crit Comms Circle podcast, we're sharing the audio from our recent guest appearance on Making Waves, the podcast hosted by DAMM Cellular. 

We joined Lone Hansen, Stuart Will, and Hauke Holm over at their podcast, Making Waves, for a conversation that spanned the global trends we're seeing across the industry.

This big-picture conversation explores where the industry is heading - from PMR/LMR to broadban...
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    Ep 82: Busting the top 5 cloud computing myths

    October 14, 2025 • 30 mins
    In this episode, we unpack one of the biggest shifts in the public safety landscape: the move to the cloud. We are joined by Rohan Galloway-Dawkins, Chief Product Officer at Versaterm, to tackle and bust the top five myths that often surround cloud adoption in emergency services. From concerns about data security and control to questions of connectivity and interoperability.

    Top 5 myths discussed:

    Myth #1: Cloud migration automatical...
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    Ep 81: From the lab to the tracks - Making FRMCS a reality

    September 30, 2025 • 46 mins
    Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) has been set up to provide railways with a standardized, future-proof communication solution capable of supporting advanced rail operations and services. FRMCS builds on 3GPP-based 5G standalone and mission-critical (MCX) architectures to support the new ETCS as a replacement for GSM-R. But the path towards FRMCS is way more than a straight-forward technology upgrade. The developme...
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    Ep 80: Transparency and trust with AI Labels

    September 9, 2025 • 32 mins
    In this episode, we explore the critical topic of AI transparency and how Motorola Solutions is pioneering a new approach to responsible innovation.

    In July 2025, Motorola unveiled AI Labels for its Public Safety and Enterprise Security products. These are digital transparency tools that explain, in clear terms, the role of AI in mission critical environments.

    Much like nutrition labels on food products, these AI labels break down th...
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    Ep 79: CCW 2025 Recap & Highlights

    July 22, 2025 • 28 mins
    In this special post-event episode, we unpack everything from the recent Critical Communications World (CCW) 2025, held at the Brussels Expo from June 17–19. This year’s event was the largest CCW to date, buzzing with new exhibitors, groundbreaking demos, and intense energy on the show floor.

    From the packed conference halls to in-depth discussions at the Global Village, this episode captures the biggest takeaways—from global progra...
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    Ep 78: Policing in the Digital Age - Lancashire Constabulary's Technology Transformation

    June 24, 2025 • 38 mins
    In this episode, we explore Lancashire Constabulary's recent digital transformation. We dive into how innovative technologies like advanced control room systems, upgraded body worn cameras, and in-car video, are reshaping frontline policing. 

    We are joined by Chief Superintendent Chris Hardy. With over 18 years of experience, and a deep passion for innovation, Chris provides a comprehensive view of how strategic tech investment is i...
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    Ep 77: Beyond public safety - The evolving economics of critical communications

    May 27, 2025 • 43 mins
    In this episode, we dive into the shifting landscape of mission-critical communications, especially as broadband technologies continue disrupting traditional models. Our special guest, Stuart Will, VP of Sales at DAMM Cellular Systems, joins us to unpack how enterprise verticals beyond public safety are redefining what “critical” truly means in communication infrastructure. 

    From utilities and mining to transportation and offshore w...
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    Ep 76: Key Takeaways from EENA 2025: AI, NG112, User Experience

    May 15, 2025 • 25 mins
    In this episode, we dive into the key highlights and reflections from EENA 2025, the European Emergency Number Association’s annual conference and trade show held in Helsinki, Finland. With over 800 attendees from 50+ countries, the event sparked critical conversations on emergency communications, next-generation technologies, and end-user experience.

    Joining us are returning guest Benoit Vivier and first-time guest Christina Lumbre...
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    Ep 75: IWCE 2025 - LEOs and MEOs and GEOs

    May 1, 2025 • 57 mins
    In this episode, we venture beyond the stratosphere to explore the evolving world of satellite constellations. From GEOs to MEOs to LEOs—and even high-altitude platforms in the REO (Regional Earth Orbit) layer—we unpack the technology, applications, and future of global connectivity.

    Recorded live at IWCE, this session is one of over 150 expert-led presentations delivered at the conference. Now available as part of the IWCE Digital ...
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    Ep 74: Securing the backbone - Protecting physical security in critical comms infrastructure

    April 15, 2025 • 38 mins
    In this episode, we dive into the often overlooked but critical topic of physical security for the infrastructure that supports our essential communication services: the towers, cables, and network sites that must remain operational for public safety, emergency services, and other vital sectors. 

    As critical communications increasingly rely on commercial mobile networks, questions of ownership, responsibility, and resilience become ...
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    Ep 73: Voices from BAPCO - What you missed and what's next

    April 2, 2025 • 37 mins
    In this episode, we take you inside the halls of BAPCO 2025 in Coventry —the event that really kicks off the public safety tech calendar for the year. From groundbreaking AI and control room innovations to the growing buzz around mission-critical broadband, We feature on-the-ground insights and commentary from the vendors shaping the future of public safety. Plus, we share our key takeaways from a show full of cautious optimism. Di...
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    Ep 72: The future of mission-critical systems: autonomous, cloud-native networks

    March 11, 2025 • 37 mins
    In this episode, we explore one of the most transformative trends in critical communications and enterprise markets—digital transformation. This discussion unpacks how digitalization is reshaping mission-critical industries, including public safety, utilities, and transportation, and the key design principles enabling this shift: cloud-native and automation.

    To help tackle this topic we are joined by Prakash Sadagopan, Global Head o...
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    Ep 71: Broadband Breakthroughs and Body-Worn Camera Insights

    February 25, 2025 • 29 mins
    In this episode, we highlight some of the recent findings from Omdia's latest market research covering the Broadband Critical Communications and the Body Worn Camera & DEMS markets.

    Key Takeaways:
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