Isle of Man to replace TETRA Communications system
The Department of Home Affairs is seeking to replace the communications system that plays a critical role in keeping the Isle of Man community safe.
Minister Juan Watterson MHK will ask Members to support capital funding of £4.9 million at the October sitting of Tynwald. The investment is needed to fund the replacement of the Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) system, which has reached the end of its operational life after 11 years of continuous service.
TETRA provides secure and reliable communications for the Isle of Man Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service and Ambulance Service, and is an integral part of the Emergency Services Joint Control Room.
The system is used by a further 18 organisations across the Isle of Man Government and is essential to the safe running of many high-profile events, including the Island’s motorcycling festivals. There are 3,300 terminals in operation and TETRA has handled almost 15 million calls since it was installed in 2003. One of its main functions is to co-ordinate the multi-agency response to emergencies and major incidents, such as this year’s storms and coastal flooding.
Significant savings have been achieved on the original budget for the replacement TETRA system thanks to the efforts of a Project Board comprising officers from the Communications Division of the Department of Home Affairs, Treasury Procurement, Government Technology Services and the Attorney General’s Chambers.
The system design and specification have been revised and the project put out to competitive tender to appoint the contractors.
It is currently not clear if the tender includes a need for Broadband data communications as well.
