South Tyrolean civil defense ready to communicate via TETRA
The South Tyrolean civil defense organization currently uses about 51 different wireless networks for different purposes. With the jump to TETRA, the organization is now able to communicate more effectively.
During the Zivilschutz TETRA day in Bolzano, Italy, Civil defence Councillor Arnold Schuler, department director Hans Peter Staffer and country radio service coordinator Markus Rauch, presented the new uniform Tetra network at the civil defence center in Bolzano, Italy
"The South Tyrolean civil defence," explained by department director Hans Peter Staffler, "currently uses 51 different radio networks for different purposes; this complicates the cooperation of the operating units in operations and increases the cost of operating the radio networks".
The new digital TETRA radio network makes it possible to simultaneously communicate and transfer data. With the new system, a direct communication between the emergency services of various organisations; rescuers, paramedics and firefighters, is now possible. This is very important as it can safe lives during the rescue of people in the south Tyrol mountainous area.
The use of the TETRA-network for all wireless applications also leads to a significant reduction in maintenance costs. Similar digital radio systems have also been built the neighbouring regions: In Tyrol (Austria) the emergency services already use the Tetra radio network for many years now.
The construction phase of the Tetra radio, after an international tender for a contract price of 4.7 million euros was won by the bidding consortium Cassidian Communications GmbH from Ulm and Center Communication Systems from Vienna.
The first lot is now in the final stages of its implementation, and includes 56 transmitter sites, a central office and the necessary devices, explained by Markus Rauch, coordinator of the state broadcasting service.
The transmission power of base stations were kept as low as possible. In antenna masts (20 meters height), the radiation exposure of Tetra technology is at the foot of the mast extremely low and significantly below the allowable limit.
In addition, the modern digital radio network can also be integrated into the telephone network in the country and thus allow a telephone communication with persons who are not members of the civil defence organisations.
