The Australasian TETRA Forum Limited
The Australasian TETRA Forum promotes TETRA as an open multi-vendor digital trunking
technology and viable mobile radio solution for Australasia.
What is TETRA
Terrestrial Trunked Radio, “TETRA” is an open digital radio communications standard
defined by the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI).
The main purpose of the TETRA standard was to define a series of open interfaces, as well
as services and facilities, in sufficient detail to enable independent manufacturers to
develop infrastructure and terminal products that would fully interoperate with each other
as well as meet the needs of traditional PMR user organisations.
TETRA Building Blocks
Because the TETRA standard has been specifically developed to meet the needs of a wide
variety of traditional PMR user organisations it has a scaleable architecture and building
blocks allowing economic network deployments ranging from single site local area
coverage to multiple site wide area national coverage.
Multi-Vendor Benefits
The multi-vendor TETRA market gives concrete benefits both to the users in terms of wide
portfolio of compatible equipment, fast development of new product models and
competition; and to the industry in terms of wider accessible market, faster market takeup and better possibility to invest to new development.
Global Recognition
TETRA digital trunked mobile radio for voice and data has found international acceptance
in over 100 countries (2232 contracts – Sept/09) and a growing market in the Asia/Pacific
region.
Its rapid success has been mainly due to compliance to an open standard of the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The TETRA standard received significant
input from the various manufacturers and prospective users by way of the TETRA
Memorandum of Understanding Association
The international TETRA Association
The international TETRA Association (www.tetra-association.com) currently represents over
150 organisations from more than 35 countries that manage the technology to enable a
truly open multi-vendor market for TETRA systems and terminals.
The association ensures air interface compatibility compliance testing between subscribing
manufacturers that includes the Interoperability Certification process (IOP) between
TETRA manufacturers.
The ability for full interoperability between different manufacturer's products is a distinct
advantage of the open TETRA standard that is supported by a range of independent
manufacturers.
The latter increases competition and provides second source security and allows a greater
choice of terminal products for specific user applications, such as:
Police, Public Safety, Security, Transportation, Rail, Roads and Ports Utilities, Government,
Military, Commercial & Industry, Oil & Gas and the Mining Industry. And the TETRA
standard has also been developed to meet the needs of Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR)
operators.
Key Objectives of the Australian TETRA Forum

Promote TETRA as open standard multi-vendor digital technology and a viable
digital solution to address future needs of existing analogue and trucked radio users and
potential new wireless markets

Make representations to Legislators to secure additional radio frequency spectrum
for TETRA networks

Set up an Australasian TETRA terminal numbering scheme and registration

Represent regional interests in the evolution of the TETRA standards

Facilitate development of voice and data applications.

Facilitate the exchange of information concerning TETRA
Benefits of Membership of the Australasian TETRA Forum
The ATF has input and feedback as to the development of future functionality levels of
TETRA through the international TETRA MoU Association and ETS and allows a path of
communication of specific user requirements regarding desirable hardware and software
features, and functionality, between users and manufacturers.
To become a member of the ATF please complete the Membership Application Form on the
ATF Website http://www.tetraforum.com.au
Mailing address: c/- M V Anderson & Co 4th floor, 313 LaTrobe Street
Fax 03 96428222 or email admin@tetraforum.com.au