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Setting the record straight
During August there was an abundance of press coverage claiming that the London Assembly report into the 7/7 bombings had highlighted problems and delays with Airwave. The BAPCO Journal talks to Jeff Parris, Director, Airwave about the issues raised...
Having read a number of attention grabbing headlines such as ‘London Assembly criticises Airwave delays’ and ‘7/7 committee report highlights problems with Airwave’ it is perhaps understandable if concerns about the network arise. And even though what is being achieved with the roll-out of a national radio scheme for the emergency services, offering true interoperability, which is a world first, we are undoubtedly in a far greater position to manage major incidents than perhaps a few years ago. Press coverage of this ilk can be potentially damaging. Discussing the extracts that have been published, Jeff Parris, Director, Airwave, explained, “I believe that these reports are extremely useful if received and acted upon in an appropriate manner - however, it is easy to take information out of context and there have been some glaring inaccuracies reported.”
One of the main concerns highlighted in the reports was that the original Airwave contracts did not provide coverage in buildings or in vehicles. This ambiguous statement, made in a number of press reports is inaccurate. Parris explained, “The facts are that Airwave provides extensive coverage into and around buildings. What the original contracts didn’t stipulate was that the service should cover inside every building, however, (with the exception of special building coverage) a number of buildings would be tested and there would be (and in deed is) coverage in many buildings. It would be very difficult to provide a comprehensive specification for every building, say in and around a major city such as London. However, there are special coverage areas, such as large shopping centres, Stadia (i.e. Wembley) and other buildings that were designated for guaranteed coverage.” Airwave thus conducted surveys and designed particular solutions to guarantee in-building coverage where necessary.
Is there a problem with capacity?
Capacity of the network was another issue raised, suggesting that at major events, such as the Notting Hill Carnival, restrictions would have to be placed on non-essential use of the network to reduce the risk of overload. Discussing this, Parris explained that Airwave in general is running well below capacity and in fact, is not even remotely near reaching its limit. “Commonsense, however, does dictate that we must plan for reaching critical levels, particularly for planned major events and major incidents. It goes without saying that in a mission critical arena, business continuity and forward planning is an imperative element to a resilient communications structure. We therefore enhance the capacity if and when required, and ensure that the network is used in the most efficient way possible such as suggesting that users don’t make extensive use of the telephony function when involved in a major incident/event scenario.”
Parris was also quick to explain that the Airwave team worked closely with its users to ensure increased levels of demands would be met. “Talk groups for instance, are designed to be most effective for major events and we can also provide additional capacity should it be required ensuring there is no down time for any mission critical use.”
It was also suggested in the recent press coverage that London needs a backup network for the emergency services. Parris responded, “The report has completely missed the fact that Airwave is in effect two networks and as a standalone service dedicated to exclusively to emergency and public safety response the Airwave service is already more resilient than any public network. But we know that’s not enough. Our customers need to be sure of unbroken service in even the most extreme conditions. Airwave has an independent backup network in London that does not rely exclusively on traditional underground cables. Also the system has separate standby power supplies in the event of power outages. Our network also benefits from hot standby switches so if a main switch fails, we can transfer immediately to the standby system, restoring functionality within ten minutes. Not only that but we have mobile base stations and emergency response vehicles able to respond in 30 minutes to provide communications if any part of the network, above or below ground, is interrupted.”
Terminal issues
Other problems suggested included issues experienced during the Met’s Airwave rollout, i.e. terminal problems and difficulties in training officers to use the new radios. Here Parris, commented that it is always difficult when a customer chooses to purchase different elements of the system from different suppliers (i.e. handsets). He said, “Even in circumstances where we do not supply the handsets we work with all of our customers to help them with education and training of users. If required, we will also help facilitate discussions with suppliers for improved services. Although it is fair to say it does make more sense to buy from one supplier, thereby acquiring a complete end-to-end solution, however, so secure are we in our belief in the strength and power of Airwave, we will readily get involved to help resolve any issues from third parties. A good example of this is that we are currently running a series of road shows and training programmes with a number of police forces to help improve the user training and experience.”
Ambulance and fire service coverage
The roll out for the London Ambulance Service was also citied to have been hit by delays and that there were still some risks to rollout dates. However, in actual fact it is the exact opposite. “London Ambulance Service and the Department of Health, actually asked us to advance the roll-out ahead of the original contract, which we agreed to do and we are in actual fact accelerating the rollout,” said Parris. “We are not anticipating any delays and indeed are working to roll out the service to each Trust in England, Scotland and Wales. We are delighted in particular with the very positive feedback and reaction from users in the very first Ambulance Trust in the East of England, i.e. Essex.” In relation to the fire service, Parris accepted that they had been late in achieving an original milestone. However, a revised rollout programme that will best meet the needs of each regional fire service was currently being negotiated. “Each individual regional fire service have different requirements and the delivery programme plan is not necessarily suitable to each, which is why the dates are currently being re-negotiated.” Parris also explained that, where appropriate, the service was also being further enhanced to meet individual requirements and whilst the schedule was being altered, he did accept that this was one area they had been late in achieving. Although he stressed that there were no further anticipated delays and the rollout was planned to continue through 2008/9..
Going underground
Completely independent of Airwave, London Underground contracted Citylink to build a new driver communication solution, ‘Connect’, and by coincidence it uses a very similar technology to Airwave, therefore, when the public safety element of the contract with LUL was signed, it was decided that the most economical and efficient means to roll out the service was for Airwave to ‘piggyback’ onto elements of the Connect service. And to this end, there currently have been no delays in the proposed rollout.
Concluding Parris said, “I am absolutely convinced that Airwave is a first class public safety communication system that enables public safety communications across England, Scotland and Wales to be delivered as a resilient and robust mission critical solution. If the report suggests that the Airwave service should be even better, then that is great and I welcome the opportunity to discuss enhancements to the service. Whilst at the same time I am emphatic that we are delivering that which was requested so as to meet the varying needs of our different customers.”
Parris also reiterated that he was supportive of the 7/7 committee and its report, and would like to work with them to address any misunderstandings and misconceptions that have resulted from the publication of the report to the benefit of all. “Ultimately, our approach is to be constructive and, if there are changes to the service required lets address those issues together with our customers.”
