Tait P25 for Fire & Rescue NSW

Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has selected Tait Communications to upgrade its analog radio network to P25 digital operation after a pilot project that saw the company commission seven sites in just 43 working days.

FRNSW, one of the world’s largest urban fire and rescue services, engaged with Tait to commence the digital upgrade following a technology evaluation in early 2012, beginning with a pilot that had to be completed before the start of the bushfire season.

“We understood their constraints and worked closely with FRNSW and our partners Cisco and MiMOMax to ensure we would deliver what we promised,” said Mark Cahill, Tait Project Manager.

The P25 digital upgrade will provide improved coverage, audio quality, spectral efficiency, enhanced network management and monitoring capabilities, and is in line with the NSW Telco Authority’s goal of standardising NSW agencies on P25 digital for mission-critical voice.

The new network will also comply with ACMA’s directive requiring all government radio users, including Emergency Services Organisations to move to the new government band (420-430 MHz).

“While the requirement was to ensure the same coverage and services support for their firefighters was maintained, Tait has delivered even greater results since the pilot completion, including improved radio coverage and easier radio profile usability,” said Cahill.

The network will deliver communications interoperability with other state agencies and enable FRNSW to take advantage of mixed-vendor solutions and long-term value for the life of the system.

Tait is commissioning a conventional P25 digital network using Tait TB9100 base stations with MiMOMax radio linking, and integrating with additional partner products and services. Seven sites have already been rolled out as part of the pilot, with 16 more sites to be completed by the end of 2013. FRNSW has over 120 sites that will need migration to P25 over the next three to five years.