deployment
(the former state-owned telecoms operator and still the country’s largest provider) with Motorola and the Irish PMR system integrator Sigma Communications Group. With the subsequent transformation from consortium to company, the three have become TETRA Ireland’s shareholders. As a next step, TETRA Ireland evaluated its TETRA
technology using a 14-site pilot network in the north of Dublin, where the various user agencies were able to run test scenarios. Te success of this trial led to the signing of a contract in June 2008. “Frequency licences were awarded in August 2008 and we
commenced the build of the network in September 2008”, Pat Kelly continues. “We built it by region. Dublin, with the highest density population was completed first, bringing 7000 users on to the network. “TETRA went live in Dublin in June, 2009. Te eastern
part of the country followed after that, in August. In November and December 2009 we focused on the whole south area, moving south-east, west and concluding with the northern region. Full roll-out concluded with the final sites, in Donegal, in October last year. “Each time a region went live, we brought in Gardaí [the
police] and prison services in that area immediately. It proved to be a very fast build, resulting in rapidly timed migration, which is probably different from other networks. We had the experience of other networks that didn’t go as quickly, and we obviously corrected some of those issues.” Another coverage feature that stands out on the map is
that the service extends some 20 kilometres out to sea, all the way along Ireland’s coastline, for coastguard and rescue services. “Offshore coverage was part of the TETRA Ireland specification for the network”, says Mr Kelly. “We also give air-ground-air coverage up to 1000–1500 feet.” Tis, he explains, is to support helicopters and fixed-winged aircraft from a number of agencies.
Planning the migration Because the procurement phase was quite lengthy, there was time during the ‘preferred bidder’ for meticulous attention to the details of planning the system and acquiring sites. “We were able to build very quickly”, Mr. Kelly says. “All the plans were laid and all our processes in place ready to implement immediately.” Co-operation by the agencies played an important part in
the deployment. “In the case of the Gardaí, there was a project organization which detailed their whole migration strategy, dealing with training, terminal provisioning, vehicle fit-outs and contingency planning. Te Gardaí have a very good project organization, and the work in all the various areas was of the highest calibre. “If there’s one lesson, I would say that it is to plan that
whole migration well. Get it right and it will pay real dividends when it comes to positive customer satisfaction
‘
This TETRA Ireland site, in Dublin’s dockland, serves a dual function: besides providing local NDRS coverage, it drives a fibre-distributed leaky-feeder system serving the nearby Dublin Port Tunnel. With twin bores 4·5 km long and a total
project length of 5·6 km, this is Europe’s third longest urban motorway tunnel. Fibre-fed repeaters every 750m along the tunnels drive the radiating cable in both directions, providing redundant coverage. The radio equipment associated with the site is housed in a shelter nearby
from the outset. I think that’s probably one of the key learnings from the Irish experience.” Tis involvement by the users was just one of many reasons
for their positive attitude towards the TETRA system, Pat Kelly continues. “Te feedback of customers’ experience, including front-line officers, is that NDRS coverage is second to none.” User organizations are offered a choice of radios and supporting services and equipment from a wide range set
If there’s one lesson, I would say that it is to plan that whole
migration well. Get it right and it will pay real dividends when it comes to positive customer satisfaction from the outset. I think that’s probably one of the key learnings from the Irish experience
Issue 3 May 2011 TE TRA TODAY ’
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