Shortlist for Government Wireless Network announced

Published Tuesday, 18 December, 2012 at 04:53 PM

Treasurer and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Tim Nicholls

The Newman Government has taken another step towards improved internal telecommunications, shortlisting three parties to develop the Government Wireless Network.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade Tim Nicholls said Projects Queensland had received five expressions of interest from parties wanting to take part in the project, with three chosen for the next phase of the procurement process.

“We received responses from an extensive number of experienced national and international network, service and equipment providers,” Mr Nicholls said.

“These were assessed against the evaluation criteria and subsequently three proponents have been invited to take part in the next stage of the procurement process and submit a Binding Bid.”

The three shortlisted parties are:

•           Broadcast Australia Infrastructure Holdings (including Airwave Solutions and Leighton Communications)

•           Telstra (including Motorola Solutions Australia)

•           Queensland Wireless Network Consortium (including Harris Corporation, CSC and Brookfield Financial)

The primary objective of the Government Wireless Network is to deliver an enhanced digital radio voice and narrowband data communications network for Queensland’s public safety agencies.

Mr Nicholls said the existing radio networks used by Queensland’s public safety agencies were based on ageing analogue technology, were not interoperable across agencies and were increasingly limited in their capacity to meet the current and future requirements of public safety communications.

“This project will boost communications across agencies, and will boost safety and security at major events such as the G20 summit in Brisbane and the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast by allowing for greater cooperation between agencies,” he said.

“It will initially be used by the Queensland Police Service and the Department of Community Safety, in particular, the Queensland Ambulance Service and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.  The State Emergency Service, Emergency Management Queensland and Queensland Corrective Services are also likely to access the GWN.”

The Queensland Government is planning to select its preferred proponent midway through next year, with the first stage to be completed in time for the G20 leaders’ summit in 2014.

[ENDS] 18 December 2012

Media Contact: Treasurer’s office 3224 6900