New Manager for Government Radio Network - Airwave Solutions

[matthewn1983]

New Manager for Government Radio Network
Thursday, May 23, 2013

The NSW Government has announced the selection of a new provider to manage the operations of the NSW Government Radio Network.

Airwave Solutions Australia has been selected to provide day-to-day management, monitoring, maintenance and service restoration for the network, which is used by public safety and other government agencies for essential communications.

Airwave was chosen following an extensive tender process that included a Client Reference Group and evaluation teams comprised of representatives from public safety organisations, utilities and other NSW Government agencies.

The contract with Airwave includes a number of provisions aimed at improving service delivery for agencies including higher service level requirements, such as improved response and restoration times, as well as increased governance and accountability. It also has greater flexibility to allow agencies to adapt quickly to technological improvements and changes to their network design, including adding new services and features.

A separate maintenance agreement has been negotiated with the current network manager, Motorola Solutions, who will continue to support the core and critical components of the network.

The Telco Authority has approached the development of the new contract arrangments as a mechanism for improving service levels, with the two agreements working together to provide an integrated solution that delivers enhanced services at a lower cost than the existing arrangements.

The transfer of management from Motorola to Airwave will take place through a three month transition process to ensure a seamless handover of operational responsibility. Any queries regarding the transition should be directed to Telco.Authority@services.nsw.gov.au.

Source: http://telco.nsw.gov.au/content/new-man ... io-network
Airwave Solutions Release: https://www.airwavesolutions.co.uk/news ... nsw-grn-2/

[citabria]

So much for Motorola....

[news]

http://www.governmentnews.com.au/2013/0 ... OSYKJMDVCT

[cartman]

Interesting update in

http://www.radiocomms.com.au/articles/6 ... -Authority

[centralcoastscanman]

yes and lets see how many of the nsw government departments slip through the cracks when nsw govt privatise them... as by reading that it seems if your a private company running a govt department or sub contracting to the government your not required to comply ? I could be wrong

[BerryV]

yes and lets see how many of the nsw government departments slip through the cracks when nsw govt privatise them... as by reading that it seems if your a private company running a govt department or sub contracting to the government your not required to comply ? I could be wrong

I'm confused at your post, If a dept is privatised, it's no longer a govt department and as such the radio communication costs are no longer paid for by the tax payer

The intention of getting all govt agencies to use the same infrastructure is very simple. There are significant costs spent on network duplication to the sole benefit of a singular agency. Total waste of $$. On the flipside, there are agencies that could use radio but are spending big on mobile phones or very outdated radio gear with black spots everywhere.

NOTE: there are some major issues that will need to be addressed before more come on to the network which will require big $$ to be spent. Currently, there is a situation where there is a private trunked operator with more talk path capacity compared to the GRN on at least 5 major sites in sydney. Work that one out.....

[centralcoastscanman]

yes and lets see how many of the nsw government departments slip through the cracks when nsw govt privatise them... as by reading that it seems if your a private company running a govt department or sub contracting to the government your not required to comply ? I could be wrong

I'm confused at your post, If a dept is privatised, it's no longer a govt department and as such the radio communication costs are no longer paid for by the tax payer

The intention of getting all govt agencies to use the same infrastructure is very simple. There are significant costs spent on network duplication to the sole benefit of a singular agency. Total waste of $$. On the flipside, there are agencies that could use radio but are spending big on mobile phones or very outdated radio gear with black spots everywhere.

NOTE: there are some major issues that will need to be addressed before more come on to the network which will require big $$ to be spent. Currently, there is a situation where there is a private trunked operator with more talk path capacity compared to the GRN on at least 5 major sites in sydney. Work that one out.....

I'll use the example of my old work.. RNSH Hospital Security Department is privately run by ISS but the employees still remain govt employees
I would expect that since ISS is contracting to the govt to manage govt employees they would still have to abide by the appropriate NSW Govt Memo's that come out.

From one point of view it makes total sense for the private company to have greater capacity, as if they don't have enough capacity their business cannot grow and they run the risk of losing customers.

[BerryV]

If security is private for a govt location, they should be using their own form of communications as per the requirements in the tender. If they cannot prove that they have the required capacity to do this, someone else should be given the contract.

A private company is exactly that. They should invest in equipment to run the business or get out of the industry. There are plenty of legit companies that are tendering for the same contracts as they are who can provide the communication equipment for their employees to ensure they are able to be communicated with in a safe manner without expecting the taxpayer to fork out to pay for their business needs.