23. Memorandum submitted by
O2 Airwave Service
BACKGROUND
The Home Affairs Select Committee has invited
evidence as part of its inquiry in to Police Reform. In the context
of the role Airwave plays in supporting policing through effective
voice and data communications, the Committee should be aware of
the excellent progress in delivering the service across England,
Scotland and Wales.
AIRWAVE
1. In February 2000 PITO signed a framework
agreement with BT, now O2[37]
for Airwave.
2. Airwave is the digital voice and data
radio service across England, Scotland and Wales, dedicated for
use by the emergency services and public safety agencies. The
Airwave network has now been delivered across 40 police force
areas and is on schedule to be complete across the 53 police force
areas of Great Britain by March 2005. It is currently being used
operationally by over 70,000 officers.
3. Airwave is a national service with full
"national roaming". This will enable effective communications
within and between police forces across administrative boundaries.
Previously police forces operated individual solutions, which
prohibited cross-border communications and inhibited the effectiveness
of policing.
4. Airwave is a resilient network with inherent
fallback facilities to ensure continued communications in the
most demanding of situations.
5. Airwave provides the police with the
coverage they require to do their job effectively. The specific
coverage requirement is stipulated by each force and, when complete,
Airwave will cover some 98.8% of the geography of England, Scotland
and Wales. This comprehensive coverage removes the large number
of radio "black-spots" that have previously prevented
the effective policing of a significant proportion of Great Britain
and potentially compromised officer safety.
6. Airwave provides a secure, fully encrypted
network. For the first time criminals, media, and other unauthorised
audiences are prevented from eavesdropping. This enhances the
operational effectiveness of policing as well as the integrity
of sensitive information.
7. With guaranteed push to talk communications
and the "talkgroup" facility, teams and resources can
be managed better to make policing more responsive.
Examples of mobile data currently being accessed
over Airwave demonstrate the significant step forward in the operational
benefits of Airwave to the frontline officer.
— Electronic forms: Airwave removes
the need for officers to return to the station to file missing
persons, burglary and other reports. They will be able to do so
while out on patrol, using standard electronic forms that replicate
the paper originals.
— Database access: Officers have direct
and instant access to a wide variety of information sources (eg
PNC, Electoral Roll and local criminal intelligence databases).
Providing database access to frontline officers will also reduce
the pressure on their support colleagues.
— Tasking: the police will be able
to save time and increase administrative efficiency by sending
routine instructions to officers electronically (eg daily briefings
and special assignments). Incident details and other relevant
background information can be sent straight to officers at the
frontline when and where they need it most.
— Location information: The location
of police vehicles and their status can be pinpointed. Vehicles
can be mobilised and their progress tracked.
8. As Hazel Blears MP (Minister of State,
Home Office) recently stated in a Parliamentary answer: "Airwave
is not simply a replacement for existing police radio systems.
In addition to much improved coverage and clearer, more reliable
signals there are additional features that will improve the efficiency
and effectiveness of the police service."
Using Airwave, all police officers and police
staff will be on the same system, with seamless communications
nationally.
Airwave provides higher capacity than is presently
available—allowing, for example, the many users attending
a major incident to talk at the same time without overloading
the system. Airwave also allows for flexible talk-groups, letting
officers develop new ways of working together.
All Airwave transmissions are encrypted, allowing
officers to pass information without criminals being able to eavesdrop.
Airwave handsets have an emergency button to
summon help—improving the safety of both police officers
and the public. Airwave also allows simultaneous transmission
of voice and data, so that police officers will be able to use
their radios to connect to facilities such as the Police National
Computer and to file reports without the need to return to their
station." (Official Report 12 February 2004: Column
1702W)
9. O2 Airwave is currently working with
PITO, Government and users to ensure that Airwave is rolled out
expeditiously on the London Underground and is able to meet the
demands placed upon it by the police, Fire & Rescue Service
and Ambulance services responding to an incident.
10. The features and benefits of Airwave
as a flexible and responsive national communication service mean
it is well placed to support the voice and data communications
needs of the police today and in the future. For example, for
the first time, the national nature of certain policing functions
identified by Government, such as the Serious Organised Crime
Agency (SOCA), can be supported by Airwave as efficiently and
effectively as communications required to deliver locally focussed
policing at the neighbourhood level.
11. Airwave is currently engaged in procurement
bids for national radio services for Fire and Rescue Services
(Firelink) and Ambulance Trusts (ARRP). Airwave has a demonstrable
track record of delivering the specific communication solutions
to both Fire and Ambulance services and is committed to delivering
a national radio service that meets the unique operational requirements
of each emergency service. Furthermore delivery of Airwave across
all three core blue light services will ensure direct and instant
inter-agency interoperability if and when required at the scene
of an incident.
11 October 2004
37 In November 2001 BT plc demerged its mobile communications
business, including the Airwave contract, into a separate company,
mmO2 plc. Back
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