Who We Are
Critical Insights was founded by Andrew Fleet, a specialist in mission-critical public safety communications with more than twenty years of hands-on experience supporting Emergency Services, Governments, and network operators around the world.
Our work spans the full lifecycle of critical communications programmes — from initial strategy and requirements definition, through procurement support, deployment assurance and performance verification, to ongoing advisory and optimisation. We have operated across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
We believe that when frontline emergency service professionals depend on a communications system with their lives, that system must work — first time, every time, in every condition. That belief is the foundation of everything we do.
Our History
From Airwave to ESN and Beyond
Early 2000s
Samdale — the beginning
Critical Insights began as Samdale, providing consulting support to Greater Manchester Police as the first metropolitan force to migrate to the UK's then-new TETRA-based Airwave network. We championed the frontline users, challenging and negotiating with the service provider to deliver a network genuinely fit for operational purpose.
2000s – 2010s
Global expansion — TETRA worldwide
Two decades of experience supporting Public Safety Critical Communications deployments across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Supporting Emergency Services, national governments and network operators through TETRA network design, deployment assurance, and performance optimisation.
2014 – present
ESN and the LTE MCX transition
Supporting the UK's Emergency Services Network — ESN — the replacement for Airwave based on 4G LTE MCX (Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk) technology. Deep expertise in 3GPP MCX standards, MCPTT, MCData, and MCVideo, and the operational requirements of Emergency Services transitioning from TETRA to broadband critical communications.
Now
5G NR and the next generation
As 5G NR begins to underpin next-generation critical communications, Critical Insights is positioned to support organisations planning, evaluating, or deploying 5G-based public safety solutions — drawing on two decades of experience navigating major technology transitions in the most demanding operational environments.
Ready to work with us?
Whether you need independent expert advice, programme support, or business development assistance in the critical communications sector, we'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch →