Public Safety and Security

Telstra works closely with Australia’s public safety and security organisations to secure and safeguard their communications, providing a broad range of products and services that range from our next-generation IP networks to wireless solutions such as radio and Next G® network mobile services.

When seconds count you need communications that work without question, and Telstra’s experience and coverage is unsurpassed.

Australia’s exposure to severe natural disasters including cyclones, bush fires, and storms has never been more acute, while the threat of terrorism is an ever-present danger. With no promise of such challenges tapering in the future, Public Safety agencies must be prepared to quickly respond to assist communities and individuals in crisis, while working closely with the broader community service eco-system, including health and justice departments.

Even in their day-to-day activities, public safety and security organisations rely on effective communications for dealing with situations such as theft, homicides, arson and emergency medical situations. The public relies on these organisations every day, and they rely on our systems. Telstra takes that job very seriously.

Safe, reliable and extensive digital communication and network capabilities in emergency situations can suddenly become life-critical. Like never before, public safety agencies are depending on their digital communication and network capabilities to improve their command and control capability, information dissemination and situational awareness for major incidents, significant public events and disasters – both natural and manmade.

Telstra offers unrivalled public safety service supported by one of the most extensive, reliable, robust and secure technology and network platforms in the world. It provides solutions for:
- Command and control and situational awareness
- Officer safety
- Enhanced worker mobility and productivity

Telstra has an extensive history working with emergency services organisations throughout Australia including the Ambulance Service of NSW, the South Australian government’s bushfire readiness program, Western Australian Police, Queensland Fire  and Rescue Service and the Country Fire Authority, for example.

The TelstraNext G® network offers the widest possible mobile network coverage. This offers many benefits to public safety organisations - emergency workers operating away from their vehicle or base, for example, can still get full access to voice and data services via our network. Click here for a network coverage map.

Telstra is committed to research and development into next-generation emergency services technology. For example, the ability to prioritise emergency services-related voice and data traffic via a new quality-of-service system on the Telstra Next G® network, expected in 2012. Telstra is also working with the specialist Australian technology developer EYEfi to create a system for the automated detection of potential bushfires in remote areas.

Telstra is also proud to sponsor APCO Australasia - the premier professional members association for the Australasian public safety sector. APCO is a representative body whose mission is to promote the ethos of continuous improvement and service excellence in emergency service management and in public safety communications equipment, infrastructure and policy.

Telstra provides a range of solutions tailored to emergency services and public safety organisations, all of which include secure access, 24/7 help desk support and service level agreement (SLA) reports.

Vehicle Access Network (VAN)
Telstra’s Vehicle Access Network (VAN) - developed specifically for public safety agencies – is an integrated in-vehicle IP hub that provides access to a range of wireless voice and data services that include video streaming from vehicles. It enables command centre viewing, and ensures that public safety officers are constantly contactable, even when away from their vehicles, and have more timely access to databases. Supplied on a fee-per-unit basis as a fully managed service, all the costs of providing communications to mobile staff are aggregated into a single monthly service charge.

Emergency Alert 
Telstra’s Emergency Alert is an emergency community information and warning system developed in the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfire tragedy in Victoria. It is an internet-based service that facilitates accurate and timely information exchanges between emergency service organisations and citizens.

The Emergency Alert system was used in the 2011 Queensland flood and cyclone crisis with six million messages sent to the general public – keeping them informed and providing emergency instructions. The Emergency Alert system can be used to send information tailored to a recipient’s mailing address. Future versions may make use of location-based services to provide an even more relevant information stream, while also providing a communication mechanism to people from interstate or overseas in emergency zones.

Video streaming
Mobile video streaming enables emergency services workers to stream video information and high-quality stills over the Telstra Next G® network. Developed by Australian company Momentum Technologies Solutions, this robust, flexible and easily accessible visual communication tool provides live video and stills for any situation using Telstra’s national Next G® network. m-View is used by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service to improve its fire and incident management. A video camera is mounted on the underside of an aircraft to wirelessly transmit video data back to an operational command centre, delivering immediate access to video information for the first time and enabling staff to make better decisions.

Managed radio and wireless networks
Telstra can design, construct, operate and manage end-to-end managed services over privately-owned and commercial radio networks to enable critical voice, location services and high-speed wireless data services.

Unified Communications
Telstra’s Unified Communications Solution, built on Cisco technology, provides interoperability within and between emergency services organisations and enhances command and control, as well as situational awareness using a range of services including Telstra’s video conferencing and Telstra IP Telephony capabilities. Mobile workers can access many desktop-like functions on their compatible smartphone using mobility solutions. Telstra provides a comprehensive range of design, integration, implementation and management services.

Contact Centre Services
Contact Centre Services provide the ability to manage incoming calls from the community for assistance and advice, including the operation of critical emergency 000 services. Effective contact centre services delivery requires a multichannel strategy, and this is delivered by Telstra’s Contact Centre Services team. Its job is to help public safety and security organisations meet their obligations and objectives by providing expert assistance in service delivery, achieved through strategic and tactical consulting engagements.

Why choose Telstra?

Apart from the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are partnering with an experienced public safety and security industry provider with the country’s widest network coverage, there are many benefits to choosing Telstra: 

Cost effective solutions
Telstra’s national coverage provides significant economies of scale and the coverage required to operate emergency services affectively across Australia.

Secure communications
You can be confident that emergency services information and data is protected by the highest level of security, which Telstra continually monitors to detect and counteract emerging threats.

Access to industry experts
You will be dealing with experts in the delivery of emergency services, not sales people. Our specialists work closely in partnership with emergency services organisations across Australia to develop and implement solutions to meet