Critical Communications Conference: Adelaide, 11 September 2025
New to the ARCIA conference circuit is Adelaide! Join us for the Adelaide Critical Communications Conference and SA State Networking Dinner in September 2025!
Join us for the ARCIA Critical Communications Conference in Adelaide at The National Wine Centre on Thursday 11 September. The conference program is jam-packed with radio and critical communications presentations. Explore the session abstracts and presenter biographies below to see what’s in store.
Finish off the day by getting together with your peers at the SA Networking Dinner, where the highly anticipated winner of the SA Professional of the Year Award will be announced. You can make a nomination for this State Award via the ARCIA website until 15 August, 2025.
Date: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Venue: The National Wine Centre, Corner of Botanic and Hackney Roads, Adelaide, Australia.
Register Now – Adelaide Conference and Dinner Tickets on Sale!
Numbers are strictly limited due to venue capacity for the conference and the dinner, so book your seats for you and your colleagues ASAP.
Membership and Partner Information
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We are currently accepting expressions of interest for the Land Mobile Radio: Antenna and Transmission Line Fundamentals and Testing course in Adelaide on Wednesday, 10 September 2025. This full-day, face-to-face training covers essential antenna systems, transmission line theory, and practical test equipment skills—perfect for those new to radio or critical communications. Submit your interest online today, and if enough people register, we’ll confirm the course!
For more course information and to register your interest >>
Adelaide 2025 Conference Stream
Thursday 11 September | 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
- The Growing Connectivity Between LMR & the G’s
- Navigating Australia’s Airwaves – Exploring Spectrum Opportunities
- Innovative Solutions Using cnWave 60 GHz for Industrial Solutions
- Pathways to Deploy 3GPP Mission Critical Broadband Services (MCX), with Icon Water (ACT) Case Study “Move from Narrowband to Broadband”
- Vehicle as A Node (VAAN) – A Look at How This is Changing the Landscape for PSMB
- How Public Safety Agencies Optimised Critical Comms During the Paris Olympics
- Cybersecurity for LMR Systems
- Public Safety Solutions and the SA Government Radio Network, Connecting Our Emergency Services
- SpaceX Direct to Cell – The New Zealand Experience and the Impact & Opportunity for Australian LMR Users
PANEL DISCUSSION:
The Use of Satellite Communications in the Critical Communications Environment – Separating Fact from Fiction
Session Details and Speakers
Get to know the speaker and take a closer look at the content of each session.
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The Growing Connectivity Between LMR & the G’s
Presented by: Hamish Duff | Managing Director, Mastercom
The session outlines the growing connections between traditional LMR technologies, public and private 4/5G networks and MCPTT.
How are standards bodies and manufacturers responding to market demand for connectivity everywhere, including new private 5G options for Australia.
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Navigating Australia’s Airwaves – Exploring Spectrum Opportunities
Presented by: Andrew May | Executive Manager, Spectrum Engineering
A wide-angle view of ACMA’s ongoing work program, including consideration of wider channels in the microwave point to point bands, the potential partial redeployment of the ‘upper’ 6.7 GHz band to wireless broadband services, and the lay-of-the-land now that ACMA have completed the multi-year “Area Wide Licence” process in the 3.4-4 GHz band across the entire continent.
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Innovative Solutions Using cnWave 60 GHz for Industrial Solutions
Presented by: Roy Wittert |Regional Sales Director Australia NZ & Pacific, Cambium Networks
This session explores how cnWave 60 GHz solution is redefining industrial connectivity. Attendees will gain insight into the fundamentals of 60 GHz technology—including spectrum, propagation, and performance characteristics—and how it enables fibre-like wireless throughput in dense, interference-prone environments. Real deployment examples and case studies, including Stowe Australia’s implementation, will highlight how cnWave delivers reliable, scalable, and cost-efficient industrial networking. The discussion will conclude with practical considerations for planning and deploying cnWave infrastructure in industrial scenarios.
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Pathways to Deploy 3GPP Mission Critical Broadband Services (MCX), with Icon Water (ACT) Case Study “Move from Narrowband to Broadband”
Presented by: Rhys Clare | National Sales Manager ANZ of Airbus and Director, Australasian Critical Communications Forum (ACCF), Regional Chapter of TCCA
The presentation provides an introduction and overview of current 3GPP releases of mission critical broadband, along with the current 3GPP work schedule that includes 5G D2D Sidelink, Massive MC Video and IWF between LMR and Broadband systems. It will also include an overview of MCX interoperability testing (ETSI Plugtests) and certification. As an example of moving from narrowband technologies to critical broadband, the presentation will provide an Australian case study from an Icon Water (ACT) project entitled, “The Move from Narrowband to Broadband” that provides Icon Water with efficient and enhanced operational communication, improved safety and emergency response, whilst supporting media rich applications.
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Vehicle as A Node (VAAN) – A look at how this is changing the landscape for PSMB
Presented by: Neil Jamieson | CEO, Hypha
A deeper look at what VAAN is, how it is changing the landscape for PSMB current state, and what the future holds with the evolution of LEO/LTE technologies.
The discussion will look at the various use cases and current deployments, how it is being utilised today and what it may look like in the future. With the transition from LMR to PSMB, what role will VAAN play and what does this transition or addition look like for Australia?
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How Public Safety Agencies Optimised Critical Comms During the Paris Olympics
Presented by: Brad Welch | General Manager, TPL Systems
Public Safety agencies and other organisations that rely on critical communications for their emergency and day to day operations are embracing hybrid solutions in order to strengthen communications resilience. As Public Safety dedicated broadband solutions are being implemented around the world, MCPTT is becoming a large part of the hybrid solution, in conjunction with traditional Land Mobile Radio as the backbone of their communications architecture.
Although radio manufacturers are combining these technologies in their radio hardware, there are still alot of legacy radios only working on traditional radio platforms, so users are forced to use multiple devices to take advantage of radio and MCPTT platforms. This is the exact scenario that was faced by the French Police and Gendarmerie leading into the 2024 Paris Olympics, with both TETRA radios and a mobile phone based MCPTT app forming the hybrid communications platform for over 28,000 officers.
Although the addition of the MCPTT app added a more robust communications solution, it added user complexity too, as officers had to use and carry multiple accessories for voice communications. In this presentation we investigate how this issue was overcome to provide secure and seamless communication across various public safety units.
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Cybersecurity for LMR Systems
Presented by: Alvin Singh | Senior Solutions Architect, Motorola Solutions
This session will look at the importance of having appropriate controls to ensure LMR (Land Mobile Radio) systems are cyber secure, including the following key takeaways, along with a case study focusing on a large P25 system in Australia:
- Why do we need to look at cyber security for LMR systems?
- What are the attack surfaces/risks?
- What are the state compliance requirements for state government organisations?
- What can be done to address cyber security and how can your customers ensure their systems are cyber resilient?
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Public Safety Solutions and the SA Government Radio Network, Connecting Our Emergency Services
Presented by: Peter Sinclair | Director, Public Safety Solutions – Attorney-General’s Department
Hear about how Public Safety Solutions supports South Australia’s emergency services, including operating one of the world’s largest emergency services radio networks.
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SpaceX Direct to Cell – The NZ Experience and the Impact & Opportunity for Australian LMR Users
Presented by: Andrew Thompson | CEO and Founder, Abacus Communications
SpaceX’s Direct-to-Cell (DTC)—distinct from Starlink broadband—is advancing at a breakneck pace, shaping up to be the most significant shift in mobile communications since GSM. Carriers including OneNZ, Telstra, and T-Mobile have already delivered millions of SMS and gigabytes of near real-time IoT data via DTC, with ~50 Mbps handset data targeted by December 2025. In under 18 months, SpaceX has stood up global messaging, data, and voice capabilities, forcing a rethink of remote operations, procurement, terrestrial networks, and planning horizons.
Drawing on our background with SWARM and low-speed radio networks, the Abacus/APIS Solutions team has worked with OneNZ and Starlink to deploy a commercially viable DTC-enabled IoT platform for commercial beekeepers and broader remote sensing. We entered customer beta in late 2024 and launched commercially in June 2025 with OneNZ and SpaceX—a world first. Over just the past three months we’ve seen material gains in connectivity and latency. Combined with our radio experience and early work with carriers/SpaceX, we bring a pragmatic view of where DTC complements—rather than replaces—two-way radio.
This session separates signal from noise: what’s working now, what’s not, and what we expect over the next 6 months. We’ll map the implications and opportunities for two-way radio users and dealers, including where “over-the-top” services will add immediate value in 2025.
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Panel Discussion: The Use of Satellite Communications in the Critical Communications Environment – Separating Fact from Fiction
Moderated by: Chris Stevens
Panellists: Hamish Duff, Neil Jamieson, Andrew Thompson and Rhys Clare
In recent years we have begun to see the use of satellite communications in critical communications environments like never before. Whilst we know and understand that technology, coverage and access has changed considerably in the last few years alone, and whilst some organisations have jumped in with both feet to adopt it’s use as part of an overall communications ecosystem, others have been slower to adopt the technology.
In this panel session we will look to separate fact from fiction with regard to its application and use; consider the threats and opportunities within the traditional LMR environment and we will also explore the barriers to entry that prevent some from making a move towards the adoption of the currently available solutions.
Conference Chair
Chris Stevens
Managing Director, CartGIS | Chris Stevens is Managing Director of CartGIS Pty Ltd, an emergency management, GIS and mapping and communications consultancy company based in Melbourne. Chris has extensive experience in LMR network design, planning and implementation as well as GIS and mapping application design and commissioning. CartGIS Pty Ltd also specialises in bespoke training and education for the critical communication community. Chris has extensive qualifications and experience in secondary, tertiary and workplace training and education, which, coupled with his communication experience, delivers industry and client focused outcomes. Chris is also Co-Vice President of ARCIA and Sub-committee convenor of training and education for ARCIA. |
Presenter Biographies
Alvin Singh
Senior Solutions Architect, Motorola Solutions | Alvin Singh has over 20 years experience working in Land Mobile Radio (LMR), IP networking, and IT security. He has been involved with the design and implementation of large scale P25 networks and implementing security solutions. Alvin has been involved in supporting mission critical systems and leading a dedicated team to ensure networks reliability and continuity. Based in Melbourne, he holds a Bachelor of IT and MBA. He is also an Australian Government IRAP Assessor and holds industry recognised security certifications including CISSP and CISM. |
Andrew May
Executive Manager, Spectrum Engineering Australia | Andrew is the Executive Manager of Spectrum Engineering Australia and has been with Spectrum Engineering for over 20 years. During this time he has amassed a broad and intimate working knowledge of the regulatory environment and the coordination and licensing requirements for radio services in Australia. He now leads a team of professional engineers who provide licensing solutions to all sectors of the radio industry including the major carriers, government and the private sector. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Computer Engineering with First Class Honours from the University of Wollongong. He holds accreditation under the Australian Communications and Media Authority to issue Frequency Assignment Certificates and Interference Impact Certificates, and holds Approved Radio Certifier (ARC) status under New Zealand’s Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) branch. |
Andrew Thompson
CEO and Founder, Abacus Communications | Andrew Thompson is CEO and Founder of Abacus Communications. He has been involved with critical communications across 2-way radio for voice and data since the early days of analog radio and later digital radio. He has extensive real-world experience with developing technology and the needs of control room staff. |
Brad Welch
General Manager, TPL Systems Asia -Pacific | Starting as an Apprentice Radio Technician in Mt Isa, Brad has over 30 years’ experience in the critical communications industry including over 25 years’ experience in Critical Messaging. This experience has seen him working for companies such as Hutchison Telecoms (now Vodafone Messaging), Selective Communications in New Zealand, WiPath Communications Australia and now TPL Systems Asia-Pacific. Brad has been heavily involved with providing critical response solutions and support in the Emergency Services and Healthcare markets. Brad’s strength is listening to the customer and their requirements, using his experience to provide the most suitable outcomes to shorten critical response times and maximise the customer experience. |
Hamish Duff
Managing Director, Mastercom | Hamish is the Managing Director of Mastercom and a founding Director of the Orion Network. A specialist in wide–area radio networks, Hamish has a genuine understanding of the pressures faced in the field and the role that efficient communications plays to help people every day.With a career in communications spanning more than 40 years, Hamish is skilled in making complex, simple engineering communication solutions to support the needs of all users, from the control room to the field. Hamish is the honorary president of the Australian Radio Communications Industry Association and an honorary director of the Digital Mobile Radio Association. |
Neil Jamieson
Group CEO, Hypha | Neil has been involved with exploring Satellite communications and applications for over 20 years with a specific interest in the Public Safety Sector. As a founder, and the Group CEO of Hypha Ltd. Neil has been at the forefront of Satellite applications in the Public Safety sector in Australia. From simple PTT applications to driving Big Data solutions with new LEO constellations, it has been his mission to explore non-traditional options to solve some of our unique communications challenges in Australia |
Peter Sinclair
Director, Public Safety Solutions – Attorney-General’s Department | Peter Sinclair is a leader in public safety communications and emergency management, currently serving as the Director of Public Safety Solutions in South Australia. With over three decades of experience in critical systems management, Peter is passionate about delivering mission-critical systems that deliver real operational benefits to first responders and emergency managers. Peter’s current role involves overseeing the State’s emergency aviation capability, the South Australian Government Radio Network and the State’s Triple Zero call receipt and dispatch systems. Peter represents South Australia on several national committees, including Triple Zero governance and the Public Safety Mobile Broadband program. In addition to his day job, Peter volunteers with the Sturt Group Operations Support Brigade in the SA Country Fire Service. |
Rhys Clare
National Sales Manager ANZ Airbus and Director, Australasian Critical Communications Forum (ACCF), Regional Chapter of TCCA | Rhys Clare is a director of the Australasian Critical Communications Forum (Chapter of TCCA) and National Sales Manager ANZ of Airbus. He has spent the last 20 years working with vendors in the Critical Communications space in Unified Communications, Contact Centre, Narrowband and Broadband solutions with NEC, LG Ericsson and Motorola Solutions. He’s launched SaaS based Broadband Push to Talk Services through reseller channels and telcos in Japan, India, Indonesia & Singapore and recently joined Airbus as the National Sales Manager. |
Roy Wittert
Regional Sales Director for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, Cambium Networks | Roy Wittert is currently a Regional Sales Director Anz and Pacific Islands at Cambium Networks. Roy Wittert brings experience from previous roles at Motorola Solutions, Vantage Systems, Volante Technologies and 3d Networks. Roy Wittert holds a 1980 – 1983 Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Communication, and Engineering at University of the Witwatersrand. |
Purchase your Conference and SA Dinner tickets here >>
**The conference organisers reserve the right to make changes to the agenda at any time and without notice. Please check close to the conference date for the latest agenda.
Location - The National Wine Centre, Corner of Botanic and Hackney Roads, Adelaide, Australia
