Next generation radio network
Next generation radio network receives final approval
E-Comm’s first quarter ended with a major milestone for the Next Generation Radio Program (NGRP) and the planned replacement of the regional radio system, as the emergency communications centre and Motorola Solutions Canada officially signed off on the new network—confirming the system is ready for agency use. The Baseline Provisional Acceptance was signed on March 31 and less than a week later the first of 32 emergency-service agencies began transitioning to the new P25 network.
“The amount of work that got us to this point cannot be overstated,” explained E-Comm’s Vice-President of Technology Services Mike Webb. “After five years of tireless efforts from our staff and public safety partners involved in the NGRP project, we were able to officially declare the network is ready to carry live traffic and that the design and functionality of the system meets the expectations and needs of first responders.”
Leading up to the final network acceptance, extensive testing was completed with resources from Motorola working closely with E-Comm’s wireless and engineering teams to ensure the overall network design and links between radio sites and dispatch centres were all running seamlessly. Signal strength was also a critical part of the testing process and an important step leading up to network approval. Because the new system includes a number of new radio sites designed to provide increased coverage, E-Comm’s engineering team spent a considerable amount of time ensuring wireless coverage and audio clarity met the design objectives within each jurisdiction.
“With the improved coverage and features of the new network we know public and responder safety will be enhanced throughout municipalities where police, fire and ambulance agencies are using the radio system,” added Webb.
Webb was among those who signed the Baseline Provisional Acceptance and credits a big part of this success to the involvement of emergency-service agencies. “None of this would have been possible without the collaboration and contribution of our partners. I really want to thank those involved for lending their experience, expertise and knowledge over the past number of years.”
Agency transitions officially began on April 5 and are scheduled in a phased approach through to the end of the year. The new radio system will be used by police departments and BC Emergency Health Services in Metro Vancouver and Abbotsford, in addition to 12 fire departments in Metro Vancouver and the BC Conservation Service.
