Parramatta emergency comms enhanced

There has been a 92% increase in portable radio coverage in the Parramatta CBD, following the completion of a new radio site in the area.

This will prove beneficial for emergency and essential services, enabling them to better protect the Parramatta community.

NSW Telco Authority Managing Director Kate Foy said that as the Parramatta CBD continued to undergo rapid expansion, the construction of new buildings reduced Government Radio Network (GRN) coverage across the area.

“I’m proud to say that we have successfully improved the overall network coverage in the Parramatta region for our users,” she said.

“It’s essential that emergency services are able to protect the public and respond to critical incidents.”

These improvements also deliver significantly enhanced coverage inside buildings. Radio signals are weakened when they pass through buildings, particularly where there are thick concrete walls or UV protective glass. The latest tests indicate a 65% improvement of in-building coverage across multiple locations.

Before and after maps showing improvement in radio coverage in Parramatta. Image courtesy NSW Telco Authority.

Barry Wademan, Acting Chief Superintendent, Sheriff’s Office, said the in-building improvements have enabled law enforcement authorities to operate more smoothly.

“The significant improvement in GRN coverage has made it easier for our officers to communicate across the precinct. Officers have reported a 10-out-of-10 improvement in reception and clarity in all three courts,” he said.

This project is part of the wider Critical Communications Enhancement Program (CCEP) that NSW Telco Authority is rolling out across NSW, increasing radio coverage throughout the state.

Top image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/janjutamas.

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