According to a spokesperson for the company, the solution “responds to the changes and advances in public safety, as organisations transition from TETRA to 3GPP Mission Critical Services on advanced broadband networks.
“This transition means first responders need reliable, modern devices to access today’s secure networks and leverage the benefits in day-to-day and emergency situations. The FR55 meets this need, supporting 4G/LTE and 5G as services gradually move to broadband.
“Through MCX integration, the FR55 also allows for interoperability both with TETRA and other legacy narrowband systems such as DMR and TETRAPOL. MCX also provides priority transmission support, ensuring rapid push-to-talk floor control and emergency duress button signalling.”
Features include 5G (Release 16), WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth v5.3 connectivity, alongside Evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (eMBMS). The latter is for “support in high density areas such as football stadiums, public order scenarios, and dense transport hubs.” The device also includes “the latest generation Qualcomm processor, with long-term OS support to Android 18.”
Zebra’s EMEA public safety strategy director, Olivier Ledgard, said: “We’ve designed the FR55 starting with what frontline workers need today, giving them a solution that solves issues like low-data bandwidth and limited spectrum availability. The FR55 can leverage broadband networks and secure multimedia communication, as well as advanced data capture, access, and sharing.”
Mika Laitinen, head of portfolio management for public safety and security at Airbus said: “Airbus is pleased to support Zebra in launching a new device on the public safety market. The integration of FR55 with Agnet by Airbus will give first responders access to voice, data, live video and location services with high-level encryption at the touch of a button, greatly enhancing their situational awareness.”
Zebra will be exhibiting the product at Critical Communications World 2025, on stand H71 in hall 11. The company and its partners will also take part in a variety of events and workshops taking place in Brussels across the week.
