Government Radio Network | NSW Government Chief of Information Office

Radio communication between NSW Government agencies is an essential service with the NSW Government funding about 30 mobile radio networks.  The Government Radio Network (GRN) as well as 29 individual radio networks, comprises around 56,000 users, and covers 150,000 square kilometres.  GRN coverage is provided in some of the major roads and rail tunnels in the Sydney Metropolitan Area including the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Cross City Tunnel, M5 Tunnel, Eastern Distributor and all rail tunnels.

Capital Insight prepared a business case for improved Government radio network services and equipment. This involved options development, economic appraisals, user needs analysis and a transition strategy. The overall objective was to provide:

• mobile radio services that meet the needs of NSW Government agencies for secure, basic voice and data communications

• enhanced data transmission capabilities that extend the office environment into the field

• service levels agreed with Government agencies.

More recently, Capital Insight conducted a strategic review of radio communications that included:

• the current costs of operating mobile radio in NSW

• agencies’ requirements for voice and data communications

• the technologies available to meet those requirements

• the likely costs of implementing those requirements

• the preferred technology

• the preferred cost recovery model

• opportunities to further reduce mobile radio-related costs and improve mobile radio performance.