A $150 million plan to expand police's digital radio system and make it available to other government agencies has been slammed by listed communications company TeamTalk, which believes the technology favoured by police is 'gold-plated' and a waste of money. Police have already spent $52.8 million replacing their analogue radio network in Wellington, Auckland and Canterbury with a digital radio system that is based on the United States P25 standard, which provides better reception and strong encryption. The technology means criminals can no longer use cheap scanners to listen in on police communications. Car Stereo Installation Hawkes Bay Golf ClubTwo winning Lotto tickets were sold in Hawke's Bay. New Zealand Herald. Hawkes Bay Today. A car is completely submerged in Tikitapu, police investigating. Car Audio / Car Security Big Noise is an authorised dealer/installer for Alpine, JBL, JVC, Sony, Nakamichi, Fusion Marine, Kicker car audio. 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Police estimated in 2009 that it would cost $150m to expand the system to remaining regions. A spokeswoman confirmed it was considering funding the expansion through a public-private partnership (PPP) and sharing the network with other state-sector agencies. A steering committee with representatives from eight agencies has been established to oversee the business case for the 'whole of Government radio network'. TeamTalk chief executive David Ware believed the cost could be $200m and said the plan was wasteful as other agencies did not need the encryption capabilities of the P25 system. Police could use a cheaper system based on part-analogue technology MPT or a conventional P25 digital system that would meet its own needs outside the main centres, rather than the more costly trunked P25 system it had deployed to date, and which might be required for a shared network, he said. 'Trunked P25 is a very expensive technology that has been specially designed for emergency services. For everyone else it's massive overkill. This is a bit like giving all government workers BMWs because that's what ministers need.' Police last year appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to help draft the initial business case for the investment which is due to be completed by Thursday. The consulting firm could also have a role in developing a detailed business case by September and in helping pick a supplier by November next year, if the project is approved. A police document indicates 'early adopters' of a shared radio network could include police, the fire service, the ambulance sector, MAF biosecurity staff and Customs. Later the network could also be shared with the Conservation Department, Civil Defence and the defence force. Steering committee chairman Garry Wilson said a shared network could let responders relay critical messages instantly when dealing with car crashes or in 'disaster scenarios' such as earthquakes. It had attributed a value of $3.5m to each life it estimated would be saved in its initial business case. But Mr Ware said fire and ambulance crews only took orders from their command centres and allowing emergency responders to talk directly with one another over a shared digital radio network would lead to confusion. He said he would be disappointed if agencies were forced on to the shared network when they were happy with their existing services and there was no failure in the market. He denied TeamTalk was criticising the project out of self-interest, saying the company could have hoped to compete to provide and operate the network if it had not spoken out. 'I just don't think New Zealand should pour $200m down the toilet at a time like this.' Tait Electronics supplied much of police's existing network, but also manufacturers MPT and conventional P25 networks and radios. Chief marketing officer James Kyd said Tait could see the logic of extending police's trunked network and the criticism might be 'jumping the gun'. Mr Kyd said trunked P25 networks were highly configurable, so emergency responders from different agencies could be allowed to communicate directly with one another only when required. Whether a nationwide trunked P25 system was 'overkill' would depend on the density of users and the design, he said. 'I would hope the customers and stakeholders have a robust discussion and decide, and certainly that would be what Tait would endorse. We provide a number of different standard technologies around the globe and pride ourselves on our ability to consult with customers about what suits them.' Car Stereo Installation Hawkes Bay Golf CourseCar Stereo Installation Hawkes Bay Golf CartMr Ware said digital radio had drawbacks. Signals suddenly cut out once people moved out of coverage, rather than fading, which meant firemen might have no warning when they entered a building that they were about to lose communication, he said. Compression used with digital radio meant voices could tend to sound the same, which could make it harder to identify calls for help.
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