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After using the Motorola Smart Net System for the past 30 years, the Guam Police Department can now improve the government of Guam’s Land Mobile Radio system.
Police chief Stephen Ignacio said that over the past several years, the department has experienced challenges with this “dinosaur of a system.”
“It’s very old; it’s antiquated. Some of the things I’ve heard is that we can’t find parts for it anymore when it goes down. Last year, we experienced a lightning strike at our tower on Orote. And it took many, many months for us to get it back online,” said Ignacio. “I also like to thank Motorola for keeping the system alive for many years. It’s outlived its usefulness. It’s outlived its life.”
According to Ignacio, they relied on the system to keep the line of communication open for first responders through emergency events and natural disasters.
More than a decade ago, Ignacio explained there were unsuccessful efforts to update the system.
“We’re finally able to get this contract signed, have the consultant in place so that we can move forward and getting a new communication system for the men and women out there who are really relying on the system, not only to save lives. .. but protect them also as they do the work,” he said.
The Guam Police Department Dededo Precinct Command is pictured in this February, 2019, file photo. A contract has been signed to upgrade Guam’s decades-old public safety emergency communications system.
Banyan Networks was selected to be part of the project to get the new communications system operational.
According to Laurence “Larry” Dietrick, their company is going to help get the system in place and that it will meet public safety standards with better coverage.
“That process will probably take us about a year until we get the RFP on the street. And then at that point, we’ll solicit bids, and hopefully, award to a successful bidder and walk them through the process of implementing a new system here for the government of Guam.”
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