The provincial government has awarded a contract to Bell Mobility to provide Manitoba with a new public safety communication service.
The $380 million contract will replace the current FleetNet system that has been plagued with problems for the past several years.
The new system will include equipment that will allow first responders to be tracked by GPS, improving their safety as well as encryption that will ensure police operations are secure.
The new system will be compatible with other jurisdictions outside the province that will help in coordination during emergencies.
As part of the contract, Bell Mobility will be building five new radio towers to expand coverage in the north as well portable towers will also be made available to provide coverage when needed during emergencies.
“Ensuring the safety of Manitobans is our duty,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “During an emergency, it’s essential that we have reliable communications service across the province including in rural and remote areas. This new digital two-way mobile radio system will provide expanded coverage over a more secure network and improve the safety of our first responders.”
Pallister noted the new equipment will replace the outdated communication system currently used by public safety organizations such as fire, ambulance and police services, and the very high frequency (VHF) radio system operated by Manitoba Sustainable Development and used by conservation officers and forest firefighting crews.
For their part, Bell will be responsible for “end-to-end” service delivery. Bell mobility will also own and operate the infrastructure such as towers, antennae and radios.
Pallister said that the new system will be implemented over the next three years
© 2018 News 4, a DigiPix Media Group company
.
