New investment into emergency communications in NSW
NSW Telco Authority has welcomed yesterday’s budget announcement of $177.7 million to support the next phase of the Critical Communications Enhancement Program (CCEP).
Managed by NSW Telco Authority, in partnership with agencies and industry, the CCEP is delivering an enhanced Government Radio Network (GRN) to improve emergency and day-to-day operational communications for a wide range of NSW Government agencies and essential services.
This phase of funding continues state-wide implementation activities, which include the detailed design of the enhanced GRN across NSW and progressive implementation of the program in the North Coast area of the state. It also provides funding for the five Emergency Service Organisations (ESOs) - NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW State Emergency Service to stay safe and keep operational while the CCEP is being delivered.
Over the past 12 months, the Telco Authority has undertaken a number of initiatives to support the delivery of an enhanced radio network for NSW. This includes a state-wide audit of almost 27,000 government radio communication assets, preliminary design activities and a pilot project to enhance existing GRN coverage in the North West region of NSW.
The CCEP aims to improve access to public safety standard communications for emergency and essential service personnel. Using one shared network for mission-critical communications in NSW will enable network users to share information and coordinate responses to critical incidents, such as road accidents, floods and fires.
The CCEP is consolidating the large number of overlapping and independent radio networks operated by ESOs and other NSW government agencies. Progressive connectivity will deliver an enhanced shared network for the state. It paves the way to shared networks in other states and territories and a common technology platform for next-generation critical communications technologies in NSW.