Motorola nabs $40m contract for WA Govt

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Motorola has won a $40 million contract with the Western Australian Government for the build and maintenance of a new state-wide shared emergency services radio network.

The five-year contract will be funded under the state government’s Royalties for Regions program and will enable communication between the Western Australian Police (WAPOL), Department of Corrective Services (DCS) and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) across a single integrated network.

Motorola will provide new two-way radios across the three agencies, upgrade the existing Police Metropolitan Radio Network central core, and extend the digital encrypted system technology across more than 200 radio sites state-wide.

The project will kick off in early 2012 and will provide about 3,250 two-way radio subscribers, deploy 20 simulcast trunking sites and 180 P25 conventional sites, as well as upgrade the existing network’s central core to the latest 7.X release.

The new network will cover an area of 20,000 square kilometres in both metropolitan areas in Perth as well as an additional 25,000 square kilometres throughout regional areas including the Pilbara, Mid-West, Goldfields-Esperance and South West regions of Western Australia. Once completed, the network will be valued in the order of $120 million

WAPOL deputy commissioner, Chris Dawson, said the network was in line with a commitment to equip officers with the most resilient and advanced communication system possible.

“It’s particularly significant as it will enable police, fire and corrective service officers to communicate seamlessly across a single network for the first time, helping them enhance the safety of every person in Western Australia,” Dawson said in a statement.

“The Motorola Solutions network not only provides a solid technology platform for the future, but will also boast the largest geographic footprint in Australia – a significant win for our rural and regional communities, who do not have the appropriate communication tools at present.”