Airwave, the leading provider of public safety communications solutions in the UK, and Australia’s leading independent national communications network operator, Broadcast Australia, have formed a joint venture to deliver large-scale, robust critical communications services to Australia’s public safety organisations.
The joint venture will operate under the name of Airwave Solutions Australia and will devote itself to delivering the most advanced public safety communications solutions available. Australian public safety organisations, including the police, fire and ambulance services, will have access to unrivalled network resilience, security, coverage, responsiveness and interoperability that comes with the combined heritage of the two companies.
In the UK, Airwave is known for the successful implementation of one of the largest and most complex public safety communications services of its kind in the world. The network currently serves more than 250 public safety organisations across England, Scotland and Wales, including police, fire and ambulance and has over 300,000 emergency services users.
Broadcast Australia is the region’s leading independent and truly national critical wireless communications networks operator. With nearly 600 transmission sites across Australia, Broadcast Australia’s network provides mission critical services for its broadcast and wireless customers and is centrally monitored 24/7. Broadcast Australia’s customers include most state public safety agencies in Australia.
Malcolm Keys, previously Director of Telecommunications at Broadcast Australia, has been appointed CEO of the joint venture with the task of overseeing Airwave Solutions Australia’s expansion in the Australian market. Malcolm has over 20 years experience in the telecommunications industry having previously worked for companies including Crown Castle International and Optus Communications.
Commenting on his appointment, Keys said: “We are committed to using best-of-breed technologies to provide the best public safety communications possible for Australians. We have the dedicated focus, experience and skills to deliver a premium public safety communications network. Our fully managed services eliminate the risk for government agencies, who can have access to a high-availability, highly functional service on a long-term contract basis.”
Airwave (UK) Chief Executive Officer, Richard Bobbett said: “Airwave Solutions Australia offers unrivalled experience in designing, implementing and managing cutting-edge public safety communications. In the UK Airwave has already delivered the largest and most complex public safety network of its kind in the world – on time and on budget. While we’re experts in technology, however, our business is built on an in-depth understanding of what public safety agencies need and this is what enables Airwave to help frontline emergency workers to be demonstrably more effective.”
The Airwave Solutions Australia Board will be made up of Gerry Moriarty AM (Chairman), Richard Bobbett, Graeme Barclay, Parminder Dost and Brett Savill.