Tasmania tests $567m radio network

Tasmania Police successfully tested a new encrypted radio system earlier this month, after being granted an early-access trial of the Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN) at the recent T20 Cricket World Cup in Hobart.

The TasGRN is a collaborative project to transition Tasmania’s emergency services, land managers and electricity operators on to one unified, digital, secure and interoperable radio network. Initial users of the TasGRN include:

• Tasmania Police
• Tasmania Fire Service
• Ambulance Tasmania
• State Emergency Service
• Sustainable Timber Tasmania
• Hydro Tasmania
• Tas Networks
• Natural Resources & Environment
   

In December 2020, the Tasmanian Government signed a $567 million contract with Telstra in partnership with Motorola Solutions to build and deliver the network. Acting Deputy Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said the early-access trial allowed police to test the TasGRN infrastructure and equipment in a full operational response.

“Tasmania Police is committed to delivering the highest quality of service to the Tasmanian community, and we look forward to transitioning on to the TasGRN late next year,” Bodnar said.

“The TasGRN will strengthen our ability to keep Tasmanians safe, because the world-class digitally encrypted radio communications network will significantly improve our voice communication and security.

“It will also simplify and strengthen our ability to communicate with other emergency services and emergency management stakeholders.

“Being able to conduct this early-access trial in collaboration with Telstra and Motorola Solutions demonstrates how advanced the infrastructure and technology supporting the TasGRN project is, and the success shows how robust this network already is.”