Airbus–Broadtech MOU to explore next-gen comms for NZ

Airbus Defence and Space has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Broadtech — one of New Zealand’s leaders in telecommunications and broadcasting services — aimed at finding synergies to support New Zealand’s transition from legacy narrowband to high-availability broadband mission-critical services.

Under the 12-month agreement, the companies will focus on ways to deliver secure push-to-talk, push-to-video and broadband data to support public safety agencies (police, fire and ambulance), government entities, mobile network operators, and critical infrastructure sectors including utilities, health care, transport and broadcasting. The MOU combines Broadtech’s mission-critical infrastructure expertise and deep regional knowledge with Airbus’s portfolio of proven critical communications solutions, and could pave the way towards a long-term partnership to support next-generation critical technology solutions across New Zealand.

Alain Ruinet, Head of APAC Sales & Programme Delivery, Public Safety and Security at Airbus Defence and Space, and Merv Taylor, CEO of Broadtech, signed the agreement on 14 October at Comms Connect Melbourne — the premier critical communications event in the region, bringing together public safety leaders, network operators and technology suppliers from across Australasia.

“This exciting partnership can unlock stronger, more resilient mission-critical communications solutions ‘across the motu’ [across the country] by bringing proven global capability together with strong local infrastructure expertise,” Taylor said.

Ruinet added, “Working alongside Broadtech is the first step to bring Airbus’s longstanding industry experience and proven critical communications solutions to New Zealand. We’ll explore how we can support their national priority to build and modernise a network that keeps emergency services communicating in a crisis.

“We’ll also explore ways to deliver critical infrastructure solutions to sectors including utilities, health care and transport. As we have in other regions, with the right local partner we could offer New Zealand solutions like Agnet, Airbus’s collaboration platform that is already supporting the digital transformation of mission-critical organisations worldwide.”

Image caption: Alain Ruinet, Head of APAC Sales & Programme Delivery, Public Safety and Security at Airbus Defence and Space, and Merv Taylor, CEO of Broadtech, signed the agreement at Comms Connect Melbourne 2026. Image ©Airbus