Telstra and Motorola win Qld GWN contract

Queensland is to get a new Government Wireless Network (GWN), with the first stage rolled out in time for the international G20 meetings in Brisbane in November 2014. Telstra and its major subcontractor, Motorola Solutions, will design, build, operate and maintain the $457.3 million network over 15 years.

Announcing the project, the Queensland Premier, Campbell Newman, and Treasurer Tim Nicholls, said the GWN will improve communications for public safety agencies and increase safety and security for emergency workers.

The government has allocated $56.7 million in the 2013-14 Budget to get the project started.

The GWN would first be rolled out to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cairns to support next year’s G20 meetings, which require a secure communications network to host state and Commonwealth agencies and international security forces.

The rest of south-east Queensland will be equipped in time for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, with potential to eventually extend the system to cover the rest of the state.

The GWN will also ensure emergency services were better prepared for future disasters or emergencies. “For police, fire and ambulance officers in the GWN service areas, there will be clearer radio communication and better coverage at key public locations,” said Minister for Police and Community Safety Jack Dempsey. “It’s designed to reduce emergency response times by providing seamless interconnectivity between the agencies.

“It will also improve officer safety by providing for GPS-enabled duress alarms and officer down alarms.”

Work on the GWN will begin later this year.