European police broadband push: Belgium ASTRID NextGenCom, German DT BOS network slicing and Sweden SWEN TETRA-to-5G migration all advancing in 2026

Belgian public safety network operator ASTRID has initiated its NextGenCom programme, implementing a hybrid 4G/5G MCX architecture with a geo-redundant core and Mission Critical RAN infrastructure combining MOCN-based commercial operator coverage with a dedicated public safety layer. Projects under NextGenCom already cover private 5G for the City of Wavre, North Sea security operations, 5G-connected drones for emergency response, and field tests of the BOLSTER rapidly deployable 5G system operating in 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz. Deutsche Telekom is also developing a BOS-dedicated network slicing offering for German public safety organisations, with an IWF interworking solution planned for mid-2026. Sweden’s SWEN programme has awarded a TETRA-to-3GPP migration contract and is targeting a 3GPP-based MCX platform by H2 2026.