Sepura Charts Path to MCX

Sepura announced it adopted Softil's Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk, Data, and Voice (MCX) software development kit as a foundation for the company's Android-based devices and applications.

• Vehicle first: The SCU3, Sepura's dual mode TETRA and broadband vehicle device launched in 2021, is the first offering with support for MCX. CritComm Insights spotted an early version of the client on the SCU3 shown at Critical Communications World 2022.

• Then the handset: While Sepura's press release did not point to a new MCX handheld device, the text noted that future handhelds supporting MCX would take the same approach. No timing information for such a product was supplied.

Softil is a software specialist with MCX design wins in Europe, Japan, New Zealand, North America, South Korea, and the UK. CritComm Insights believes Softil is the MCX client supplier for most devices in the market today that support MCX.

Sepura Impact

Impact Assessment: Very Positive to Sepura

• Sepura well positioned for future PSBN procurements: The strategy of supporting MCX in its vehicle and handheld dual-mode devices positions Sepura as a leading contender for supplying devices to emerging European Public Safety Broadband Networks.
• And well positioned for TETRA refresh efforts: It is no secret that many TETRA networks are sticking around until 2030. Emergency services will likely refresh subscriber handsets before LTE PSBN is a reality, and new Sepura dual-mode devices will be capable of serving both environments.
• But much depends on the coming form factor(s): The degree of impact will hinge on the variety, capabilities, and qualities of new products Sepura launches. Following its spinoff from Hytera in July 2022, the company is now in Private Equity hands, and short-sighted PE firms have been known to gut companies for cash. If the company is starved of money or distracted by management turmoil, then upcoming launches may underwhelm.
• Sepura can put this market into hyperdrive: A legacy network business does not constrain the company. If the new ownership structure allows, the company can leverage its small size by operating as an agile, nimble contender that can change industry rules in ways the legacy network suppliers can only dream of.

Ecosystem Impact

Impact Assessment: Very High to MCX device sector

• Companies with legacy TETRA infrastructure get unwelcome pressure: Most of the TETRA terminal market is supplied by companies with significant TETRA infrastructure sales; revenue that the companies hope to prolong as long as humanely possible. If Sepura launches a viable MCX handset, public safety agencies will gain the option to require standardized MCX functionality. Motorola Solutions refuses to commit to an MCX hero device that matches the TETRA or P25 devices offered to emergency services workers. Airbus SLC also provides a hybrid TETRA/LTE device but sticks to a proprietary Push-to-Talk over Cellular. The resulting pressure from Sepura will force competitors to follow.
• A virtuous cycle spins up for Softil: With yet another design win, Softil can point to its leadership in 3GPP-based MCX adoption. And Softil's growing stable of adopters means that software developers can potentially develop for Sepura's device and easily port to other Softil clients. The design win from Sepura gives other device suppliers even more reason to consider Softil, which will, in turn, drive more adoption.
• The application ecosystem gets a push to MCX: Sepura has a mature TETRA application ecosystem that adds value to Sepura devices. While TETRA applications may suffer bandwidth constraints, MCX on LTE or 5G networks opens up opportunities for creativity. The development community now knows what SDK to focus efforts on for a maximum return on investment. The Sepura commitment telegraphs a roadmap for future innovation to its existing ecosystem members.

End User Impact

Impact Assessment: Moderate to end-user community

• Few operational MCX networks: Broadly speaking, there are no large-scale live MCX networks outside Korea. This restriction means agencies must wait before the MCX features are helpful.
• But over-the-top LTE may be good enough: While MCX adds some additional priority features for push-to-talk, much of the benefit for MCX video and data can be gained from simpler policy-based network priority mechanisms. Even consumer over-the-top LTE service may be adequate. That flexibility allows users to opportunistically access the network when out of range of the TETRA network. Of course, as more users operate on an LTE network, the more essential the MCX features coupled with true Quality of Service, Priority, and Preemption (QPP) become.
• A new consideration for device procurement: Once a Sepura MCX handset device is launched, agencies should consider making MCX a mandatory requirement in future TETRA device procurement. That requirement will pave the way for a future-proof device inventory decoupled from the specific timing of future network MCX services. It can also provide short-term benefits for coverage in facilities with LTE but no TETRA.

Bottom Line

Sepura's MCX embrace can end market complacency on standardized 3GPP MCX features. A polished Sepura offer will pressure competitors and hearten government network operators who have struggled to get high-caliber MCX devices for emergency services workers.