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Security Boost to London 2012 Games

03 November 2009

A multi-million pound boost to the emergency services radio communication system has been awarded as the countdown to the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games reaches 1,000 days, the Home Office announced today.

This significant step in safety and security planning came as the Home Office made a £39 million investment in Airwave - the radio communication system used by the police and other emergency services.

The investment will fund an increase in the capability of the system in time for the 2012 Games which will mean it can cater for thousands more users from within the police, fire and ambulance services.

Security Minister Lord West said: "The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games promise to be among the greatest sporting events in history. And our investment in the Airwave system underlines our commitment to a safe and secure Games.

"Investing now means the Airwave network system can be thoroughly tested before 2012 and will ensure it remains resilient during Games-time."

This expansion to the radio communication system used by the police and other emergency services will benefit all 2012 host venue police forces, fire and ambulance services as well as other counties which are hosting 2012 events or athletes' training camps.

Chief Constable Peter Neyroud, Chief Executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency, said: "Extending Airwave coverage to meet the needs of the emergency services for the London 2012 Games is a major step forward in protecting the public and supporting frontline police officers.

"Clear and secure radio communication is vital for an effective emergency service and will be critical to the delivery of a safe and secure Games. Enabling joint communication between police, fire and ambulance services this new agreement - together with Airwave in the London Underground, will provide robust support to help ensure a swift and co-ordinated response to any incident."

This investment and upgrade is a part of a programme of work, funded by the Home Office's Olympic and Paralympic Security Directorate, to establish the operational needs of police and other emergency services and ensure they are met ahead of Games-time.

Chris Allison Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games said: "An effective radio system is vital to the delivery of a safe and secure 2012 Games.

"The investment in the Airwave system is a significant step in achieving this aim and will benefit all emergency services."

Richard Bobbett, Chief Executive of Airwave, said: "Over the next three years we'll be working closely with the Home Office, NPIA and Metropolitan Police Service to ensure Airwave plays its part in securing the London 2012 Games.

"Fulfilment of this contract will mean we have to bring to life a number of innovations, both from a technological and a network management point of view.

"We do not underestimate the challenge ahead but are proud of our track record in providing mission critical ommunications to the police and other emergency services, helping them to be effective in safeguarding the public."

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Major Milestone Achieved in Fire Service Rollout

17 July 2009

Delivery of a new national communications system which will enhance the effectiveness of Great Britain’s fire and rescue services has reached a major milestone.

Airwave, the leading public safety communications provider, has completed the installation of new radio equipment in around two thirds of the 8,440 fire and rescue service (FRS) vehicles. It has been installed in nearly 6,500 vehicles and is currently in use among 29 FRSs . It’s a task of unprecedented proportions and has been achieved with minimal operational impact on the emergency response provided by each FRS.

When fully rolled out, Airwave will be the new national communications service for the FRSs of England, Scotland and Wales. Known to the FRS as Firelink, it replaces an outdated system providing improved coverage, security, resilience and interoperability with other organisations such as the police and ambulance services which have also adopted Airwave.

John Lewis, head of Airwave’s fire and civil resilience division, said: “We’re currently installing Airwave in four vehicles in 16 FRSs every single day, a rate soon to be increased to four vehicles in 18 FRSs. For such rapid delivery, co-ordinating Airwave people, suppliers and customers is no mean feat, especially as it’s important to minimise the impact on fire service operations.”

Ashley Truluck, national project manager for Firelink, said: " This is a major landmark in the history of the project and the fact that we have managed to maintain vehicle rollout to schedule bears ample witness to the spirit of co-operation and partnership that exists between both the Firelink and Airwave teams, particularly at the local operational level.”

NOTES TO EDITORS
Airwave owns and operates the Airwave network, which provides voice and data solutions to a variety of emergency services and public safety organisations. It is the biggest public safety radio network in the world today.

Being both secure and highly resilient the Airwave network delivers mission critical voice and data with 24/7 responsiveness. It offers greater resilience and enhanced coverage for users and provides the opportunity for agencies to be able to communicate seamlessly on one national network.

The delivery of Airwave to the fire and rescue service is being managed in three phases.

Phase A involves the installation of Airwave into each FRS control room. Phase B involves the installation of voice equipment into each fire applicance. Data terminals are currently in Phase C (with the exception of Scotland, South Wales and London, which are receiving simultaneous installation). Phase C will also involve the delivery of Airwave to the English regional control centres, which are currently being developed for the fire service.

Airwave Launched in Germany

27 May 2009

Airwave, the leading provider of public safety communications solutions in the UK, has launched a German-based operation from which it plans to develop new business opportunities in what will become one of the largest TETRA network in Europe.

Airwave plans to work closely with local partners to deliver technical and operational consultancy services as well as a portfolio of ‘managed service’ solutions aimed at the 16 Lander regions.

The company specialises in mission critical communications solutions and has delivered the world’s largest and most complex national infrastructure utilising TETRA, the technology to be used in Germany. The company is already fulfilling two contracts with the Hamburg Lander. One is to verify the design of the new communications system installed on the city’s 80km underground railway network and the second is to test part of the system once it is built.

Located in Hamburg, the formation of Airwave GmbH builds on the success of Airwave’s unique UK operation which provides resilient and interoperable communications to some 350 public safety organisations including the police, fire and ambulance services and a private mobile radio service for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Its customer base is growing fast as the emergency services take advantage of the enhanced availability and security provided by Airwave, and the potential for interoperability to help co-ordinate response.

Chief Executive Richard Bobbett said: “A co-ordinated emergency response relies on the ability to share information with the right people at the right time. To achieve this, the German government is building a similar network to that which we delivered in the UK. We hope that our unique experience and expertise will be of value in Germany, helping to ensure the country’s national system is delivered on time and to quality and budget.”

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Airwave Named as London 2012 Supplier

26 January 2009

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games today confirmed that Airwave has become the latest Tier 3 Supplier to London 2012. Airwave will be the first ever Olympic Official Private Mobile Radio Services Provider and will provide private mobile radio service to all Games venues.

With the largest public safety network in the world, part of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure, Airwave provides mission critical voice and data communications to the emergency services of England, Scotland and Wales as well as other public safety organisations.

In preparation for the 2012 Games, Airwave is building a completely new and independent communications infrastructure that will be used from 2011 right up to and during the period of the Games. Like its public safety infrastructure, the service will be delivered using TETRA technology, but it will be totally separate. The new service will provide coverage allowing the 2012 Games and its workforce to operate effectively and safely. The infrastructure will predominantly provide coverage for the London venues but also includes satellite venues at places across the UK like Weymouth and Hampden Park.

Airwave’s Chief Executive, Richard Bobbett, commented; “Airwave is already the UK’s provider of secure and resilient communications for the emergency and public safety services and everyone in Airwave is immensely proud to be chosen as a partner and supplier to the 2012 Games – the world’s largest sporting event. It is testament to the capability, hard work and dedication of our employees that we have been selected. We will be drawing on our experience delivering mission critical communications to the UK’s emergency services. This will provide personnel at the Games with the most resilient and secure communications of its kind.”

London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe welcomed the deal, “We are now at the business end of organising the Games and our Tier 3 deals are coming thick and fast. Secure communication between venues and personnel at Games time will be critical to our success and Airwave has a fantastic track record in this sector. We look forward to working with them between now and 2012.”

Work on the new infrastructure is already underway and despite being at a relatively early stage, the programme team are confident it will be ready in April 2011 before the Olympic Test Events commence later that year.

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Airwave Now Operational in London Underground

14 January 2009

Airwave, Great Britain’s public safety solutions provider has today announced the completion of the rollout of its TETRA network in the London Underground. Airwave has completed its deployment to all 125 belowground London Underground stations. This now means that British Transport Police (BTP), Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the City of London Police, are able to use the same radios underground.

Airwave now provides police communications in London Underground stations across the network, above and below ground, improving safety for the public and the emergency and public safety services. With the Airwave system, all police officers are able to communicate above and underground allowing them to operate much more effectively during incidents.

Airwave was awarded the contract to provide access to its TETRA network in January 2007. The rollout, managed by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) has seen it link its network to London Underground’s Connect digital radio system, part of the Transport for London’s £10bn investment programme. The rollout is in accordance with the recommendations of the London Assembly’s report into the London bombings of 2005 which stated that improved public safety communications underground was vital for successful emergency response to similar incidents.

The roll-out was completed within budget ahead of schedule.

Police Minister Vernon Coaker said: “The Airwave system plays a vital part in keeping passengers safe. It allows police officers to communicate with each other quickly and safely to ensure an effective response to any incident.

I am very pleased to announce that the system is now fully functioning ahead of schedule, helping frontline officers build on the excellent work they already do to tackle crime.

Crime is down on the Underground and with the roll-out of Airwave; passengers can feel even more confident that every effort is being made to keep them safe as they travel around the Capital.”

Chief Constable Peter Neyroud, Chief Executive of the NPIA said: “Extending Airwave to the London underground is a major step forward in protecting the public and supporting frontline police officers. Clear police radio communication is vital for an effective emergency service.

Police officers need to be able to speak to each other and other emergency services at all times to ensure a swift and co-ordinated response to any incident.”

Managing Director of London Underground, Tim O’Toole said: "London Underground (LU) and the Home Office together with partners had the foresight to fund works to facilitate the link-up between Airwave and our new radio system prior to the Airwave contract being signed because of the benefits we knew it would deliver. It is a great achievement that not only has Airwave been delivered across the Tube network but that it has been delivered five months ahead of schedule.

"We continue to work extremely hard with the police and security services to keep the Tube as safe as possible."

Deputy Chief Constable of British Transport Police, Andy Trotter said: “Radio communications underground has been key to helping the BTP protect the public in the London underground.

This initiative will enable the police service to further improve on this by enabling better communication between forces. This approach will help tackle more crime, improve frontline policing, public safety and increase public confidence.”

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said: “The completion of Airwave is good news for Londoners as it further increases the ability of our emergency services to operate on the underground network. Our police service will now have radio coverage at all 125 below ground Underground stations, which allow them to work ever more effectively.”

Tony McNulty, Minister for London said:"One of the key lessons from the London bombings of 2005 was the need to enhance the resilience of responders' telecommunications systems and communication underground. I am therefore delighted to see that this system is now fully in place, ahead of schedule, with the result that London is even more resilient and better prepared."

Richard Bobbett, CEO at Airwave, said: “The requirement for the emergency services to have a communications system that can operate at underground stations and tunnels cannot be overstated. We have taken our responsibility very seriously during this deployment to ensure that the service was rolled out at as quickly and as comprehensively as possible. To meet this schedule on budget and ahead of time is a great achievement for Airwave, the NPIA and the London Underground teams.

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