Written question asked by Caroline Spelman (Conservative) on Monday, 17 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 July 2006. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Monday, 24 July 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Communications Masts

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the rollout of the TETRA mast network; and what plans the Government has to ensure inter-operability and improve communications between the police and the other emergency services.

Answer: Airwave is the new radio communications system for the police service in England, Wales and Scotland. The rollout of the TETRA mast network is the responsibility of O2 Airwave who own the network. The network is already in place. Officers across the country using the network are able to communicate directly with each other, regardless of location. The other emergency services are currently updating their radio communications networks on a national basis and will also be using the Airwave service. When their new systems are fully operational their communications systems will interoperate seamlessly with the police network. Existing interoperability arrangements on the old radios used by the services will be maintained until the new systems are fully operational.

Secondary information