TETRA  |  2019-03-07

Powertrunk TETRA System Selected for Cooperative Energy

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

Cooperative Energy, a provider of wholesale electricity headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has selected Bay Electronics and PowerTrunk, Inc. to deploy a digital TETRA radio communications network for its 11-Member distribution cooperatives.

Cooperative Energy is a generation and transmission cooperative that provides of electricity to over 432,000 end users covering a service area that includes 55 of Mississippi’s 82 counties. The new 58-site TETRA radio system will provide advanced communication capability and radio coverage for roughly two-thirds the State of Mississippi.

“Our TETRA solution addresses the unique needs of Cooperative Energy and includes a highly advanced dispatch capability, landline telephone integration and recording, smart phone app, and AVL integration to optimize field operations and workforce safety”, said Edward Kelly, PowerTrunk Vice President of Sales.

Bay Electronics, working with PowerTrunk, has been chosen by Cooperative Energy to provide a complete communications system consisting of multiple radio sites with diversity receivers, fully redundant control equipment, antenna systems, mobile radios with integrated gateways to extend coverage, and the latest TETRA portable radios with built-in repeater capability to extend direct mode operation.

“Cooperative Energy is excited about partnering with Bay Electronics and PowerTrunk to deploy a state of the art radio system across our service territory. This solution not only allows Cooperative Energy to modernize our communication systems but also adds additional services we can offer to our membership,” said Gary Hutson, Vice President of Power Supply, Cooperative Energy. “Mission-critical communications that keep our employees connected at all times is essential to maintaining safe operations. The new system will also improve customer response and preparedness for emergencies and disasters. The solution we have chosen is based on the leading open standard for digital radio communications in use by utility companies around the world,” said Adolfo Bello, Director of Communication Systems, Cooperative Energy.

“This is another validation and testimony for TETRA applications in North America. Bay Electronics has long been a proponent for TETRA in North America and we are pleased to bring TETRA technology to Cooperative Energy,” said Rick Nielson, President of Bay Electronics.