An aggregated service model is the agreed way forward for the Whole of Government Radio Network (WGRN).
"Approved by Government in December last year, the model will see a mix of both digital and analogue radio networks for use by public protection and disaster relief agencies," says Police Deputy Commissioner Resource Management, Viv Rickard.
A governance board will be established to drive efficiency, enhance interoperability, and review and coordinate future investment in radio communications.
"The governance board will work with future adopting agencies to integrate them into the Whole of Government approach under the aggregated service model," says Mr Rickard.
The decision will see Police continue to operate on its digital radio network in the three metropolitan areas of Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury, while maintaining its analogue network throughout the rest of New Zealand.
It is envisaged that by 2014/15 the Fire Service will complete its transition to the Police digital network in the three metro areas.
The WGRN business case recommended Ambulance services also move to the Police digital radio network. The governance board will work with Ambulance services to further this recommendation.
"Having Police, Fire and the Ambulance services on the same radio network in the three main centres would mean a significant proportion of the population will be covered under a modern digital Land Mobile Radio network. This maximises the use of existing assets and provides risk mitigation in the event of a mass casualty or major disaster relief incident,” says Mr Rickard.
Other interested agencies will come on board to the WGRN as it suits their operational and budgetary requirements - a process that will be managed and overseen by the governance board.
Mr Rickard says Police led an inter-agency WGRN Steering Group which determined the aggregated service model best met the needs of agencies; was financially viable; made the most of existing radio network infrastructure and left room for agencies to further explore and consider new and emerging communications technologies.
ENDS
Contact - Rob Lee, Police Public Affairs, (04) 470 7348.