BAI awarded contract to operate NSW's PSN

The NSW Telco Authority has awarded a five-year contract to manage the Public Safety Network (PSN) to BAI Communications (BAI).

The PSN, formerly known as the Government Radio Network, aims to provide emergency services organisations (ESOs) with a single, integrated platform to communicate rather than separate networks.

“To support state-wide mission-critical communications during disasters, the network covers an area of around 325,000 square kilometres, handles an average of 1.47 million calls per month and maintains 99.95% reliability,” said the Authority’s Managing Director, Kylie De Courteney.

“It’s technology that saves lives and we are working to ensure that frontline responders have the critical infrastructure they need to protect communities.

“We look forward to working with BAI to operate and maintain one of the largest critical communications networks in the world.”

De Courteney said the contract is based on a new service delivery model, developed in collaboration with NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW State Emergency Service.

“The new model focuses on building a scalable, shared network, able to adapt to new technology and meet our customers’ operational requirements now and in the future,” she said.

“NSW Telco Authority will manage the contract to ensure BAI delivers improved services as part of our continued growth and transformation to meet the needs of our customers.

“As we expand the PSN through the Critical Communications Enhancement Program, we will work together to deliver world-class customer service to support emergency services organisations.”

Next to Australia’s triple zero emergency hotline, the PSN is the most critical communications network in NSW.

Through the Critical Communications Enhancement Program, the NSW Government is expanding the footprint of the PSN to cover 85% of state and deliver 98% population coverage.

BAI will operate from the NSW Telco Authority Network Operations Control Centre, recently upgraded to meet expanded PSN capacity and provide a hub to coordinate critical communications responses to emergencies.

Image courtesy NSW Telco Authority.