Atlas Telecom launches breakthrough coastal surveillance

Atlas Telecom, a full service communications technology integration and security solutions company, is throwing the spotlight on its newest and most advanced range of Vessel Identification System (VIDS) solutions during their participation at this year's edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2017), which is being held until February 23, 2017 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The company, which also serves as the regional technology arm of veteran UAE telecommunications firm Atlas Group, is sharing the new breakthrough range of solutions' key advantages and benefits, while also highlighting its significance in the efforts to enhance coastal surveillance and protection of UAE and GCC marine territories.

According to the company's senior executives, Atlas Telecom's participation at this year's IDEX proves to be both timely and strategic as the launch of the ground-breaking VIDS will help address the need for a strategic all-to solution for local coastal protection and constant monitoring of naval territories. The complete network infrastructure of VIDS includes key software and infrastructure like radars, long range cameras, E-Passport trackers, location & correlation servers and command & control systems. With the use of VIDS, Atlas Telecom highly contributes to the UAE's move to increase maritime domain awareness and improve naval security measures, which is an important element to national security.

The company, however, is focused on showcasing the excellent features and capabilities of its Next Generation E-Passport Tracking Solution, a patented system perfect for ensuring the security and visibility of vessels at all times. Local maritime experts have lauded the creation of this new updated application, describing it as a life saving device that seamlessly works in a secure, private TETRA and LTE networks. Utilizing the Next Generation E-Passport solution can avoid accidents and disasters like vessel collisions and reduce incidence of marine traffic across local waters. Moreover, it serves as a secure and reliable tracker that plays a major role in coastal surveillance and maritime borders security and protection--easily preventing smuggling activity and illegal entry of immigrants.

The Next Generation E-Passport has been developed and designed to work across tough marine and harsh climate conditions, proving it as a fully-reliable and effective tool to use during mission-critical activities like search and rescue operations, border control, emergency and disaster responses and command and control of maritime forces patrolling UAE waters. The device can work for 30-days straight via its internal battery and provides essential real time data for use in maritime operations reporting. 

The tracking solution is based on airbus technology for use in TETRA and LTE networks. However, it can also work seamlessly with 4G and 5G. The device is developed by Atlas and its international partners and contains best-of- breed components proven in the environment prevalent in the region. Components of the system are guaranteed to be available for a minimum of 10 years after the End of Sales (EOS), even if a new version is updated. Such products are long-term and in general their generation upgrades take time in development because they are related to national security.

Rashid Al Mutawaa, Vice Chairman, Atlas Group said, “We are excited about our participation at this year's IDEX, which gives us the opportunity to launch and increase awareness on our newVessel Identification System.  The launch of this new range of solutions reinforces our commitment to provide a world class and highly effective solution to the country's national security entities, especially in the effort to protect our maritime borders. The Next Generation E-Passport system is more than just a location tracking device, it is a life-saving device in times of emergencies where rescue teams receive exact coordinates in advance, which optimize the response and operations.”

Al Mutawaa pointed out that the release of VIDS complements the Atlas Group's strong commitment towards the UAE's Emiratization policy. The devices for VIDS is locally designed,which creates local jobs for UAE Nationals, particularly for engineering and technical professionals. The efforts reflects the company's support and confidence in nurturing local talents, which falls in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030--stressing on the importance of social and human resources development, empowering the private sector and maintaining complete international and domestic security. He further noted that the creation of the Next Generation E-Passport solution is based on UAE requirements and infrastructure, which works cohesively across TETRA and LTE networks while also being fully encrypted in service, anti-tampering and has the capability of working on closed networks.

“The product is compatible with a critical communication secure network. As GCC nations have started to make full use of TETRA networks, the Next Generation E-Passport Tracking Solution is well positioned to be an excellent investment option, especially in the move to provide 24/7 monitoring on GCC maritime borders,” added Al Mutawaa. 

During their presence at the exciting five-day conference and exhibition, Atlas Telecom has expressed confidence and bullishness in the expected response for the VIDS release. We are aiming to market VIDS to a variety of industries, even looking at taking it to potential markets in the MENA region. “We are proud that we are supported by the UAE Government who encourages us to become developers and exporters of world class solutions. The government is aware that the technology can be used to ease their tasks and we are fully committed to exceed their expectations,” concluded Al Mutawaa.