DMR  |  2019-02-19

TeamTalk Closes DMR Tier III and PTN Deal with PowerCo

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

TeamTalk has been selected as the preferred provider to manage Powerco’s private telecommunications network.

The network comprises of a Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Tier III Voice Radio Network, and a WAN (Packet Transport Network or PTN).

The DMR and PTN are the primary means of communication with all field staff involved with the electricity network and communication activities.

Looking ahead, the network will eventually carry all of Powerco’s network operations voice, video, data and SCADA traffic.

“We know that the communications network is a critical part of their business and look forward to supporting their growth ambition in New Zealand’s regulated electricity and gas environment,” said Andrew Miller, chief executive of TeamTalk.

Miller said the deal follows an “intensive” eighteen-month bidding process against a number of other "major IT and communications providers" to win a five-year deal with potential for extension.

Powerco is New Zealand’s second largest electricity utility and gas distribution utility with around 1.1 million customers (across 446,000 connections) connected to its networks.