Emergency and essential services in the Sydney CBD have received a boost in coverage with the completion of a new government radio site.
The new site provides in-building coverage in Westfield Sydney as well as improved network coverage and performance in the surrounding Pitt Street Mall precinct.
NSW Telco Authority Managing Director Kate Foy said the new site was crucial to improved public safety.
“Radio signals are weakened when they pass through buildings, particularly where there are thick concrete walls or UV protective glass,” Ms Foy said.
“This upgrade ensures that emergency services are more able to do their essential work of protecting the public and responding to critical incidents as they unfold inside and outside buildings in busy precincts.”
The new site is part of the wider Critical Communications Enhancement Program which is improving government radio network coverage and capacity from 35 per cent of the State to over 80 per cent.
The enhanced network will allow emergency services to more easily share information and coordinate responses on the one consolidated network.
“The increase in coverage will better enable emergency, law enforcement and other essential services to better protect the community and visitors to the Sydney CBD this holiday season, and into the future,” Ms Foy said.