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Omdia Crit Comms Circle

Omdia Crit Comms Circle

Omdia 91 Episodes Oct 6, 2026

The Crit Comms Circle is a podcast from Omdia analysts that provides market insight into the critical communications industry. It is hosted by Ildefonso de la Cruz, Senior Principal Analyst in Omdia's Critical Communications and Public Safety team. Each episode explores facets of critical communications, with opportunities for listeners to suggest topics or join as guests. Listeners can contact the show at critcommscircle@omdia.com.

Episodes

Ep 92: Who are the mission critical communications users?
Ep 92: Who are the mission critical communications users? Oct 6, 2026 1935 In this episode, Ildefonso de la Cruz dives into TCCA's Legal & Regulatory Working Group recent whitepaper defining mission-critical end users. Nina Myren (Vice Chair of TCCA Board) and Jonathan El-Nigomi (member of TCCA's Legal & Regulatory WG and co-author of the whitepaper)  discuss this topic, that may initially sound straightforward, until you realize that neighboring countries and go
Ep 91: From reliable communications to cognitive critical operations
Ep 91: From reliable communications to cognitive critical operations Sep 29, 2026 2085 In this episode of Omdia's Crit Comms Circle, we sit down with Lelio di Martino from Nokia to explore the evolution from connecting mission critical users to enabling Cognitive Critical Operations. Our conversation explored a simple question: What if providing reliable communications werent' a challenge. What next? In this new approach ultra-reliable connectivity, edge computing, real-time data pr
Ep 90: The importance of BWC in mission critical environments
Ep 90: The importance of BWC in mission critical environments Mar 10, 2026 1990 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 cas
Ep 89: How are utilities going to keep the lights on in an AI world?
Ep 89: How are utilities going to keep the lights on in an AI world? Feb 24, 2026 1724 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.Hi
Ep 88: Rugged devices & body worn cameras: the frontline convergence
Ep 88: Rugged devices & body worn cameras: the frontline convergence Feb 10, 2026 1753 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 technolog
Ep 87: Interworking Functions (IWF) - Bridging Legacy and Next-Generation
Ep 87: Interworking Functions (IWF) - Bridging Legacy and Next-Generation Jan 27, 2026 2115 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 lea
Ep 86: Looking ahead to 2026
Ep 86: Looking ahead to 2026 Jan 13, 2026 1731 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 emer
Ep 85: 2025 year in review - The defining moments in critical communications
Ep 85: 2025 year in review - The defining moments in critical communications Dec 18, 2025 1820 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 adoptio
Ep 84: Unifying the emergency response workflow
Ep 84: Unifying the emergency response workflow Nov 11, 2025 1536 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 announc
Ep 83: Global trends: Signals you can't ignore
Ep 83: Global trends: Signals you can't ignore Oct 28, 2025 2803 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
Ep 82: Busting the top 5 cloud computing myths
Ep 82: Busting the top 5 cloud computing myths Oct 14, 2025 1833 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:M
Ep 81: From the lab to the tracks - Making FRMCS a reality
Ep 81: From the lab to the tracks - Making FRMCS a reality Sep 30, 2025 2768 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-forwar

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