NSW Telco Authority program update

An enhanced and expanded NSW Government Radio Network has proved itself a crucial tool during the state’s bushfire response.

The NSW Telco Authority is a statutory agency within the Department of Customer Service, with a remit to provide communications services to emergency service personnel across the state so that they can work together to ensure community safety.

It is doing this by designing, commissioning and managing operational telecommunications services that support NSW Government agencies and communities, especially the Government Radio Network (GRN).

Six new clients were brought on to the GRN over the six months to December 2019 — St John Ambulance, Joint Military Police Unit, Place Management, Sydney Cricket Ground Trust, Australian Federal Police, and the Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service.

The Authority is currently involved in four major efforts: the Mobile Black Spot Program, the Regional Digital Connectivity (RDC) program, the Critical Communications Enhancement Program (CCEP) and public safety mobile broadband.

Mobile Black Spot Program

The NSW Government has committed more than $39 million to build at least 183 new or improved mobile base stations throughout the state. The program is delivered in partnership with the Australian Government and mobile network operators.

To date 167 sites have been built with 18,000 premises connected. This includes 650 kilometres of transport coverage across regional and metropolitan NSW. An additional 21 sites are to be completed by June 2021.

Regional Digital Connectivity

The RDC Program is part of the $50 million Connecting Country Communities Fund, which is investing in infrastructure to provide fast and reliable broadband internet access to regional communities in NSW. Delivered in partnership with the Department of Premier and Cabinet, it aims to enable the same digital connectivity in the regions that is available in metropolitan areas of the state.

Approval has been given to trial a proof-of-concept program in southern regional NSW. With an expected completion date of December 2025, more than 3800 premises will have improved connection.

Two preferred suppliers are in final stages of agreement (as of early December 2019) to proceed to the proof of concept. Contract finalisation and execution are expected to take place in the first quarter of 2020.

The funding will result in improved regional digital connectivity in the NSW towns of Royalla, Gundaroo, Collector, Gunning, Bungendore, Murrumbateman, Googong, Carwoola, Tarago, Michelago and Wallaroo.

Public safety mobile broadband

The federal, state and territory governments are working on plans for provision of a national public safety mobile broadband network for use by emergency services organisations and other providers of essential services. Before the system design and network architecture plans can be finalised, a proof of concept will be conducted to test proposed ideas. Following the issuance of an RFP to market, negotiations have begun with the preferred respondent to conduct the trial, which is expected to commence in perhaps the first half of 2020.

Critical Communications Enhancement Program

The CCEP is delivering an enhanced GRN to improve operational communications for law enforcement, emergency services organisations and essential service providers.

CCEP sites have been supporting bushfire efforts since September 2019, when unprecedented weather conditions resulted in widespread fires across northern NSW. This support increased throughout November and following the State of Emergency declared by the NSW Premier on 11 November, with 19 CCEP sites being fast-tracked and made available on ‘best effort’ capability for emergency services organisations.

In addition, there were 10 mobile cell-on-wheels deployments and six generator deployments.

During this time reliance on the GRN greatly increased, with overall network use up to 30% higher than normal.

As a result of the CCEP rollout to date, Rural Fire Service Operations are currently using the GRN for radiocommunications from Armidale to Forster — the first time this has been possible.

Critical Comms is grateful to the NSW Telco Authority for providing the information conveyed in this update.

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