Airwave network will 'deliver requirements'

The Airwave emergency services radio network is on course for installing its network of 3500 masts and will complete ahead of schedule, says Jeff Parris, vice president of operator Airwave mmo2.

Computing last week revealed concerns by insiders working on the network that levels of data access promised to police forces when the system was announced in 1996 are not being delivered, and that the number of masts would need to be doubled.

But Parris says the supplier is meeting demands.

'We will deliver the contract requirements and are delivering the coverage, capacity and all the features and facilities across England, Wales and Scotland with the 3500 masts,' he told Computing.

'Data services are being provided as per the contract in terms of kbps but, more importantly, what we are already providing is the ability to send clear images from an officer in the field back to the control room in 12 seconds,' he said.

The Airwave network was originally scheduled to be rolled out across the 53 UK police forces by 2005-6. So far 37 forces are live and there are around 50,000 users on the network, and it will be completed by March 2005.

'The customer reaction to service at a senior level, but even more encouragingly the feedback from officers on the beat, has been nothing short of amazing - comments about how it's made the job immeasurably safer, the fact they can police areas they couldn't before, stories of criminals being caught clutching scanners saying "but I didn't hear you coming",' said Parris.

He says data services provided by Airwave to Hereford & Worcester ambulance trust have saved 26 patients' lives in the last month alone.

'Using Airwave mobile data paramedics can send ECG information in real time back to a consultant at the hospital,' said Parris.

'If they can administer thrombolysing drugs to heart attack victims sufficiently speedily it literally saves lives but paramedics can't do it without advice from a consultant.

'What Airwave is doing is to open up that communication channel and Hereford & Worcester are on record saying that in the last month they have saved 26 patients lives through this facility,' he said.