Soldiers receive training on Defence Industry Communications P3 portable communication device at Enoggera, Qld.

Defence Communications Industry (DCI) is a Melbourne based enterprise which provides specialised communications for Defence. Its main offering to Defence is the P3, a portable communications device which delivers high speed data and voice links over copper field wire.

DCI began working with the Australian Department of Defence in 1999 when Defence was seeking a solution to allow its Land Local Area Network (LAN) communications to be extended to its field deployed units through Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) Joint Project 126 (JP126). They also wanted to see if these communications could be delivered over copper wire instead of fragile fibre optic cables which were being damaged in the field.

With input from Army Signallers and the JP126 team undertaking Ph2A of the Joint theatre distribution systems project which focused on physical network and communication and information systems network capability options, DCI developed the P3 over copper solution. This co-operative effort was recognised with a prestigious international award in 2002 – the US Technet Golden Link Award for ‘Industry/Defence collaboration resulting in a product that assists in the war against terror’.

Currently employing a team of five carrying out engineering, design, technical support and administration, DCI also offers 24 hour technical support for the product as well as training.

Managing Director Alec Umansky said DCI offer a program of training for new users and refresher training which is hands-on and carried out on bases all around Australia .

‘We believe the regular user training has been successful in lowering the incidence of technical issues arising while on deployment,’ he said.

‘DCI is looking to the future with research and development into a new version of the communications device which will add greater distance and bandwidth capability and further increase its versatility.

‘As a small local enterprise, we have benefited from the support of Australian Defence Force in taking up this technology and its subsequent wide deployment. As well, through its entities and initiatives such as Team Australia , we’ve gained important international exposure. This has led to further government export sales to British Army (UNICOM), Canadian Defence, New Zealand Defence Force and the United Arab Emirates ,’ Mr Umansky said.