ETSI, with the support of the Critical Communications Association (TCCA) and the Union Internationale des Chemins de fer (UIC), is organising the tenth MCX Plugtests™. Co-funded by the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA), this Plugtests event will take place in the ETSI premises in Sophia Antipolis, France.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE 10TH MCX PLUGTESTS EVENT?

The concept of Mission Critical Services such as “Mission Critical Push To Talk" (MCPTT), “Mission Critical Data" (MCData) and “Mission Critical Video" (MCVideo) started with 3GPP Release-13 and is ongoing in current Releases. The goal of this MCX Plugtests event is to validate the interoperability of a variety of implementations using different using different multi-client / vendor complex scenarios based on 3GPP Mission Critical Services. The format of the event will be live testing conducted face-to-face over 4G and 5G Networks. This Plugtests event will focus on the 3GPP Releases 18 and 19.

Specific focus will be put on cross communications including the Interworking Function (IWF) to other technologies like TETRA and P25 and the inter MCX scenarios (enabling the connection of different systems, agencies or countries). The tests are based on 3GPP, ETSI and IETF standards and are designed for:

• MCS Application Servers (MCPTT, MCDATA, MCVIDEO).

• MCS Clients (MCPTT, MCDATA, MCVIDEO).

• eMBMS Components.

• IMS / SIP Cores.

• Consoles and Control Rooms connected to MCX servers.

• MCS Test Equipments.

• RAN equipment (4G and 5G).

• Packet cores (4G and 5G).

• UEs (User Equipment), Cab Radios, embedded equipment, Rugged Handheld Phones and 5G NR Sidelink Devices.

• IWF towards TETRA and P25 systems.

This event will feature tests with 4G and 5G radio equipment (gNBs, eNBs, 5GCs, EPCs, UEs) and will also allow Over-The-Top (OTT) testing of Mission Critical Servers and Clients. Test Equipment vendors will have a possibility to test as well in the Plugtests event.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF ATTENDING THE 10TH MCX PLUGTESTS EVENT?

• To assess the level of interoperability of your implementations.

• To validate your understanding of the standards.

• To test with (many) other real implementations and demonstrate end-to-end interoperability.

• To debug your implementation: early bug fixing, saving time and costs.

• To promote the technology and the ecosystem.

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE?

• Vendors which develop and produce above-mentioned equipment.

• Observers, which can be government organizations, mobile network operators, public safety operators, users, agencies or regulators.

New vendors and observers must sign the Rules of Engagement and NDA of the MCX Plugtests programme to participate. 

Please note that due to space limitations at the venue, a maximum of two delegates per equipment may attend in person.

THE PLUGTESTS OBSERVER PROGRAMME

Observers are welcome to help define the scope (i.e. functionality to be tested) for this event and to evaluate the tests statistics in the TRT (Test Reporting Tool).

In parallel to the testing, we are planning to organise an observer round table discussion, an observer programme with presentations and interoperability demos. The focus of the observer round table discussion and programme is to examine and discuss the progress of deployment and the challenges in testing of the Mission Critical Services for Public Safety and Public Transport. The observer round table discussion and programme will be held onsite during the event.

The interoperability demos will be performed by the interested vendors showing interoperability of their equipment by showcasing the MCX Plugtests test cases and observer scenario use cases.