A new radio-communications system, one that expands an existing network used by state agencies, will now include local agencies and give them the ability to link up. The new system will power up by Sept. 30, 2010.

State officials on Tuesday, Feb. 3, signed a contract with Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems to obtain the company’s 700 MHz radio network. The radio system allows users of the state’s existing 800 MHz radio system to connect with one another.

One advantage of the system is that it allows first responders or workers from different jurisdictions to communicate with each other.

A $7.3 million federal Public Safety Interoperable Communications grant is paying for the network, which is aimed primarily at promoting public safety.

“This system allows us to provide communications capabilities to more users,” said Bob Pederson, director of the Division of Communications, Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

He said the 700 MHz system is similar to the 800 MHz system that Delaware began using in the early 1990s.

“Initially the system will provide a limited number of agencies with communication capability because we’re doing this entirely within the federal grant,” Pederson said. He said the new system would use existing towers, generators and equipment shelters and an existing microwave network.

Pederson said because infrastructure for the new system is already in place, costs to significantly expand radio communications capabilities for state and local agencies would be accomplished within the $7.3 million available.

He said Tyco’s P25IP VIDA system is a radio-over-internet protocol, using new technology to make it secure.

“This is a closed network. It’s not going to use the web or commercial internet services to provide any type of connectivity,” Pederson said.

Pederson said 700 MHz system users would have the option of encrypting communications, making electronic eavesdropping on the frequency pointless.

“Individual agencies will decide whether or not to encrypt their calls,” he said.

Network users

Pederson said determining users of the new system is the role of the Statewide Interoperability Executive Council, which is made up of state and local agencies.

He said users might include first responders – such as firefighters, emergency medical technicians and police – but are more likely to include Delaware Department of Transportation employees and public works departments statewide.

Pederson said first responders are already equipped with 800 MHz radios, but the system isn’t linked to other agencies that are using their own, independent, radio systems.

He said the interoperability council has not yet finalized its list of 700 MHz users.

Pederson said in the past several years, the 800 MHz network has gone through changes aimed at improving its capabilities. He said the number of 800 MHz radio users has grown from 5,000, when started, to 13,000 users today.

“There are no more 800 MHz frequencies available,” Pederson said.

He said during a typical day, the system handles more than 115,000 calls.

Pederson said shifting some 800 MHz users to the P25IP network could have benefits.

“It would reduce the amount of traffic on the 800 MHz system.

“When a large-scale event occurs and there are a lot of people communicating, they would get fewer busy signals,” he said.

Pederson said the grant includes 1,300 mobile radios, which would be distributed to agencies.

He said most states and U.S. territories have begun shifting to 700 MHz radio systems.