How do you spend your time at work?
My role is mostly administrative and ambassadorial. Much of my time is spent doing the myriad tasks associated with running a members’ organisation such as the TCCA, as well as representing the TCCA and what it stands for in a wide variety of forums.
What’s the one gadget that you can’t live without?
Unquestionably my phone. My daily life revolves around the contacts and information it can access.
Describe your most unforgettable project.
In 2012 I had the honour of leading the TCCA’s initial involvement with 3GPP in developing critical communications feature standards for LTE.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve seen while working in the sector?
A camel race with child-sized robot riders. When installing the first TETRA network for the Abu Dhabi Police, we had to ensure full security radio coverage of the desert racetrack.
What advice would you give to anyone starting their first job in the industry?
Focus on the users, not technology. It’s too easy to get excited by the technical stuff and forget why we’re here, which is to give those who need it most the best possible critical communications.
How has your role changed since you started working?
‘Solid state’ was the new thing 40-plus years ago. Now nobody’s heard of valves!
What do you do in your free time to relax?
My wife and I have a new house in her home country of Poland, so that – plus two dogs and a cat – keep us busy. We’re both keen Scuba divers, so travelling to dive in warm, clear water and photograph the wildlife is our delight.
Tony Gray has worked in the mobile communications industry for more than 40 years and has held senior engineering, management and consulting posts throughout the world. In 2017 he was appointed chief executive of the TCCA, the global representative body for critical communications professionals.
