TeamTalk Makes a Big Call

Media Release – July 2 2009

TeamTalk Makes a Big Call

TeamTalk has marked a technology highlight for New Zealand with the first Trans Tasman calls on a Digital Mobile Radio service. The calls were made between Australia and New Zealand using TeamTalk’s secure top end IP-based technology, “P25.”

The demonstration, undertaken with Team Talks’ technology partner Auria Wireless, involved the networking of mobile P25 base stations via 3G cellular and satellite links, to established networks in Australia and New Zealand.

TeamTalk Managing Director David Ware says P25 provides direct benefits for a range of central and local government agencies to communicate privately on a day to day basis with an added bonus.

“When an emergency arises that needs co-ordination across various organizations, P25 ensures calls and data are encrypted and can’t be overheard by anyone not involved in any emergency response.”

“The New Zealand government has set P25 as the public sector benchmark for secure encrypted communications. The call was made by interconnecting the network between here and Australia, via a secure VPN over a standard internet based connection. The trial was held at remote sites in Australia and was run over private radio links as well as sites connected via satellite.

“This technology has a myriad of uses and we have now shown that it can be used over a variety of connections and still remain secure.”

“Agencies such as Ambulance, Fire Service, Police, the Ministry of Fisheries, Justice and other government agencies, as well as private organizations, like high-end security companies, energy retailers and port companies are expected to adopt this technology.

“TeamTalk is confident this system will also have benefits for private sector companies who require an extra layer of comfort around the security of their business communications. So we are looking forward to talking with interested parties about how this technology can work for them and giving them a demonstration of the capabilities of the system,” says Mr Ware.

“Another bonus for customers is that this service is centrally managed in real time right here from the office in Wellington. We also have PC based software that can emulate a physical radio, allowing connectivity to the network via VPN or internet which will also make it attractive to companies looking for seamless secure communications.

"TeamTalk has other smart technologies on offer that will enhance current business communications. Those products and services, along with advancements like P25, are part of our future-proofing strategy for our customers. We are continually investigating other “business smart” communication technologies to deliver to our customers in the near future,” Mr Ware concluded.

Background

The need for P25 was sharply felt in the US during the 9/11 attack, when the thousands of emergency vehicles and staff attending weren’t able to communicate directly. This was identified as a major problem and caused the US Government to focus on P25 as a key element of its Homeland Security initiatives.

Developed by the US Public Safety organisation, APCO, P25 was designed to overcome three problems;

• Interoperability – agencies have difficulty talking to each other
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• Privacy – calls and information need to be extremely secure
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• Coverage – they require reliable communications over large rural area as well as in cities.
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P25 technology is TIA Standard–based and supports handsets from a variety of manufacturers including Tait Electronics and Motorola.

ends

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