The Tasmanian Government and Telstra hosted a launch event this week to officially inaugurate the Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN). The $763 million network, provided by Telstra and Motorola Solutions, was announced in 2020 and has been built on a feature-rich platform providing capabilities including greater interoperability, increased coverage, secure, encrypted communications for emergency service workers and a modern user interface.

“Motorola Solutions is proud to provide the technology and services for Tasmania’s Government Radio Network that will transform emergency management in the state,” said Rob Fyfe, APAC Regional Services Director for Motorola Solutions, speaking at the launch event. “The network, being inaugurated this week, will provide Tasmania’s emergency responders and government organisations with a highly advanced, mission-critical communications network to support reliable communications every day while providing the capacity to respond to emergencies throughout the state.

“The innovative network is built on a feature-rich technology platform to provide a variety of additional capabilities for the state’s emergency services needed for today and well into the future. These include broadband push-to-talk services enabling seamless communication between radios, smartphones and other devices, as well as enhanced integration between existing communication centres’ operating systems and Motorola Solutions’ consoles.”

Having trialled the network during the T20 World Cup in Hobart in 2022, the Tasmanian Government has since announced that eight public safety agencies will soon transition to the TasGRN. Hydro Tasmania, TasNetworks, Parks and Wildlife, and Sustainable Timber Tasmania will be the first to transfer, followed by police, fire and emergency services.

“The new communications service will enable Tasmania’s emergency services to manage increasingly complex operational requirements — from combating natural disasters to dealing with the evolving security landscape and beyond,” Fyfe said. “With our advanced communications solutions and services, Tasmania’s public safety agencies will benefit from more reliable, secure and resilient communications today that will also contribute to making the state safer and more prosperous for the future.

“The network will provide interoperable communications for multiple government organisations, helping to provide the highest levels of safety for communities as well as the emergency responders that put their lives on the line every day to keep Tasmanians safe.”