De Ronde om Texel: guaranteed coverage and tracking system gives dispatcher overview

At a large outdoor event where weather conditions determine the course of the day on land and at sea, effective communication is crucial. Every second counts in case of incidents. De Ronde om Texel utilizes Flash Smart Com, a secure push-to-talk service for smart devices, for communication purposes.

We rely on PrioCom’s mission-critical voice and data service on Odido (previously calledT-Mobile) mobile network for this communication. The network’s high availability is ensured by reserving dedicated capacity specifically for PrioCom users, which is not accessible to non-critical users. With a single button press, communication with all volunteers is possible, regardless of their location.

Large sailing event requires guaranteed communication on water and land

De Ronde om Texel is a unique sailing event – the world’s largest catamaran race – attracting a multitude of participants. Hundreds of catamarans start simultaneously from Paal 17 and circumnavigate the Texel island, embarking on a journey of approximately 60 km. Sander Berkhout, Account Manager Flash PMN, states, “The greatest challenge is ensuring guaranteed communication for the safety of 25,000 people: participants, volunteers, and visitors who traverse a large area on both land and sea. Our Flash Smart Com solution fits perfectly into this scenario.”

High quality communication

Arjan van Harmelen has been responsible for the technical aspects within the safety team of De Ronde om Texel for two years. Van Harmelen explains, “Flash provides excellent connectivity with the digital communication network. We were already aware of weaker coverage at the dune edge. During testing, Flash promptly found a workaround for this issue remotely. Flash’s technical expertise is of high quality. The products and services they provide are fully tailored to our needs.”

Nico Hortensius, Business Consultant, adds, “Given the vast geographical area of the event and its occurrence on land and sea, only the Flash Smart Com solution is conceivable. Teams must be able to communicate with each other and with the Central Post. Last year, there was limited time to arrange everything. The centralist of De Ronde om Texel possesses extensive professional experience, allowing us to act swiftly. Flash also possesses ample knowledge regarding the setup of Central Posts. The control room workstations were fully furnished and delivered, meeting the centralist’s requirements as much as possible. Even during the event, I was available remotely to make desired adjustments. This year, with a longer preparation time, less ad hoc organization is required, but we remain accessible for inquiries.”

Ensuring safety for all involved

Van Harmelen: “From a physical central post, the centralist manages communication with hundreds of volunteers and emergency services. With the available tracking system, the centralist can precisely see everyone’s location on the screen and quickly respond. In the event of an incident, the centralist can, for example, place the available boats near that location into a communication group with a single button press and communicate with them simultaneously. If the incident requires assistance from the coastguard center or other emergency services, the centralist can transfer control to them with a single switch. This saves crucial minutes and upgrades our safety communication and the sense of security. Users also provide positive feedback on improved communication, coverage, and the intuitive use of the app. The application is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring safety.”

Effective Collaboration and Service

Van Harmelen: “With my own company, I have extensive knowledge and experience in telecom. Honestly, I was initially skeptical, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the comprehensive technological communication solutions provided by Flash. We have consistently received excellent support, as Flash thinks in terms of possibilities. After our initial experiences with Flash’s technology, we engaged in discussions and expressed our additional requirements. For instance, Flash provides a standard PC with two monitors, but our centralist requested a PC with three monitor connections. With the help of Flash, this PC will be realized this year. They are easily reachable and solution-oriented for any inquiries, from the initial stages to the execution during the event. I am highly satisfied with how Flash collaborates with us in addressing our challenges and look forward to continuing our partnership.”

“I am highly satisfied with how Flash collaborates with us in addressing our challenges and look forward to continuing our partnership.”