Critical Communications Conference: Perth, 2 – 3 April 2025

Following a fantastic conference in 2024, we return to Perth in April 2025, with an expanded program that now includes pre-conference workshops on Wednesday, 2 April.

In response to the growing demand for additional training, we’ve added pre-conference workshops to our 2025 conference lineup. Workshops are available to book in addition to the conference program and WA State Networking Dinner. 

Book your Workshops, Conference and Dinner tickets now >> 

IMPORTANT- ARCIA Partners will receive a code to book tickets — Contact us for more information >> 

The Perth conference features a jam-packed stream of critical communications presentations, closing out with an expert panel.

The WA State Networking Dinner will be held in the evening following the conference where the highly anticipated WA State Professional of the Year Award winner will be announced. Nominations are now open and will close on Friday, 7 March 2025 – Nominate now. 

Numbers are strictly limited due to venue capacity for the conference and the dinner, so book your seats for you and your colleagues ASAP. Discounts apply on all rates for current ARCIA Members. Not a member yet? Join ARCIA now >> 

Workshops: Wednesday 2 April, 2025
Conference and State Networking Dinner: Thursday 3 April, 2025
Venue: Aloft Perth Hotel in Rivervale
Time: 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM (Workshops and Conference) 6:00 PM -10:30 PM (State Networking Dinner)
Agenda: Stay tunned, coming soon!

Half-day workshops | W1 9:00am – 12:30pm and W2 1:30pm – 5pm

• Workshop 1 | Private Cellular Networks (4G/5G) – The Fundamentals of the Technology and System Designs
• Workshop 2 | The TAK Imperative: Why Australian Mission Operations will Embrace this Unifying Common Operating Picture

Conference stream | 9:00 am-5:00pm

• How Public Safety Agencies Optimised Critical Comms During the Paris Olympics
• Digital LMR and Location Services – Battle of the Titans
• Starlink Direct to Cell – The New Zealand Experience and the Impact & Opportunity for Australian LMR Users
• AI, IoT & LoRaWAN: Transforming Ultra-Early Fire Detection for Forestry, Infrastructure, and Climate Resilience
• CASE STUDY: Pathways to Deploy 3GPP Mission Critical Broadband Services (MCX), with Icon Water (ACT) “Move from Narrowband to Broadband”
• Navigating Australia’s Airwaves – Exploring Spectrum Opportunities
• Standards Progress for LMR to Hybrid Narrowband & MCPTT Solutions
• More presentation announcements coming soon…

Panel Discussion 

• The Use of Satellite Communications in the Critical Communications Environment – Separating Fact from Fiction
  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.

Book your workshop, conference and dinner tickets now >>

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Perth 2025 Half-day workshops

Workshop 1 | Private Cellular Networks (4G/5G)  – The Fundamentals of the Technology and System Designs

Presented by: Simon Lardner | Head of Wireless Business, Vocus
Wednesday 2 April | 9.00 AM – 12.30 PM

This workshop is an introduction to the technical and commercial framework behind private cellular networks. It will provide students with the skills to be able to outline the key elements and components of a typical private cellular network . Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental drivers behind the technology, as well as the key elements behind developing a business case for network deployment. Students will be able to describe the evolution from 4G to 5G, along with the associated migration paths.

The course will cover:

• Background to cellular networks (1G to 5G) and the fundamental philosophies behind them.
• Differences between Public/consumer cellular networks and private/industrial networks.
• The technical and commercial benefits and limitations of industrial cellular networks.
• The architecture of private cellular networks.
• The complexities and issues especially associated with 4G/5G Public Safety networks
• Basic solution system design & the building blocks of a solution.
• An analysis of 5G compared to 4G, along with the migration paths available to network owners.

This course is for students who:

• Come from both a technical and non-technical background.
• Have been to the previous ARCIA training sessions on Private Cellular Networks, or have a prior fundamental understanding, and want to understand the latest industry developments in 5G and it’s potential impacts.
• Are interested in their organisation building a Private Network and want to understand how to go about it.
• Already have a 4G private network and are interested in the what or how of a 5G network.
• Want to separate vendor hype from technical and commercial reality.

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Workshop 2 | The TAK Imperative: Why Australian Mission Operations will Embrace this Unifying Common Operating Picture

Presented by: Graham Tait | Mesh Solutions Lead, Hypha, and Neil Jamieson |Group CEO, Hypha and Matt Franks | Senior Solutions Engineer, Hypha
Wednesday 2 April |1.30 PM – 5.00 PM

As we explore TAK (Team Awareness Kit) to understand what it is, its opportunity for application and explore various use cases, this workshop will be an opportunity to hear from the experts and experience some hands-on training with TAK.

TAK delivers an interoperable unified common operating picture (COP) based on non-proprietary, open-source software developed and continuously updated by the US Department of Defence.

Australian public safety agencies and emergency management organisations can embrace the civilian TAK stream as a unified operational picture, that fits in the hands of remote emergency workers and is also available to benefit private-sector users too, including park operations, marathon and festival organisers and other large events and operations.

Hear how this life saving approach to technology use can serve Australia:

• Hear about strategies for deploying TAK on an enterprise scale, from device selection to end user training and adoption
• Observe in-depth case studies on the use of TAK for special events, law enforcement tactical operations, wildland firefighting, and search and rescue
• Learn about the large range of communications options for using TAK in remote/off-the-grid conditions
• Discuss the inclusion of TAK in interoperable communications planning, as a compliment to P25 radio, and as a scalable alternative to proprietary silos

Perth 2025 Conference Stream | 9:00am – 5:00pm

Presentation abstracts and bios coming soon! 

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Don’t miss this fantastic Perth conference!

*The venue for both the conference and Networking Dinner is the Aloft Perth Hotel in Rivervale. Need accommodation? Book by 3 March 2025 and take advantage of our Special Events rate at the Aloft Perth! >>

**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.