BAI Group shortlisted for Qld wireless network

The Broadcast Australia Infrastructure Group (BAI) consortium (including Airwave Solutions Australia and Leighton Telecommunications) has been selected in the shortlist for the next stage of the procurement process towards the Government Wireless Network (GWN) in Queensland.

Airwave Solutions Australia CEO Malcolm Keys believes that the development of the GWN in Queensland is a significant step in helping to ensure public safety for Queensland’s major upcoming events like the G20 Summit and 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“We would like to congratulate the Newman government for proceeding with a Government Wireless Network that will assist first responders in the provision of vital services to the state and its visitors,” Keys said.

“Airwave was founded to improve policing and public safety outcomes; its heritage has always been the improvement of public safety front-line services. We would therefore welcome the opportunity to use this experience to benefit Queensland.”

The BAI is a communications infrastructure group with operations spanning North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, specialising in complex telecommunications solutions. It is majority owned by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).

The group constructs and manages statewide mission-critical communication networks for both the public and private sector and is responsible for a number of federal and state government network contracts in Australia.

The opportunity to provide a digital radio voice and narrowband data communications network for Queensland’s public safety agencies will use the expertise of the BAI consortium gained through its experience both domestically and internationally.

“The Broadcast Australia Infrastructure Group, together with Airwave Solutions, Leighton Telecommunications and its partners, can deliver a complete digital network solution that is fully interoperable and meets both the current and future requirements of public safety communications in Queensland,” said Keys.

“If successful in this process, we would work to provide a cost-effective, long-term solution to the Queensland Government and assist them in developing a solid employment position for Queenslanders by inviting a sizeable local workforce to join us in delivering this solution.”