Communications network for Texan county

Tait Communications will install and support a radio communications network in a Texan county. It will provide the network for the Sheriff’s Department, State Troopers, police and firefighters in Jim Wells County. More than 400 emergency services personnel will use the network, which has been designed and manufactured at the company’s Christchurch headquarters.

The system, which will replace an ageing analog network, will mean emergency services will benefit from improved communications coverage when responding to incidents across the county. Once commissioned in September, the network will also re-use existing tower antennas, existing mobile radio units and 60 pagers deployed to volunteer firefighters. The deal also includes a three-year maintenance services contract.

Frank Owen, managing director of Tait Communications, said, “We are pleased Jim Wells County has chosen to partner with Tait Communications for this important project. This further demonstrates our significant growth in North America over the last two years.

“As a New Zealand company operating in an intensely competitive market against global players, we continue to make our mark in the sector. Approximately 30% of our export volumes go to the Americas and we’re looking forward to future opportunities in the region.”

He added, “As the largest private-sector employer in Christchurch, this contract is also great news for our 600-plus employees in the city. Our expertise and investment in research and development is paying dividends for Tait, our customers and the community, as we continue our significant growth.”

The system will be P25-complaint. The standard, which is also used by New Zealand Police, is said to allow for improved communications within and between agencies - especially emergency services.

Tait tests its radios in a high-tech P25 laboratory at the company’s Americas headquarters in Houston, Texas - a facility which has been recognised by the US Federal Government.

The county will implement a three-site, two-channel hybrid TaitNet QS2 Simulcast/P25 Simulcast VHF network. The network will be fully compliant with the 2013 FCC narrowband mandate.