Network issues defeat smart radio system

It was supposed to radicalise the way various agencies worked in the city by providing seamless connectivity.

It was supposed to radicalise the way various agencies worked in the city by providing seamless connectivity.

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But the Rs100-crore Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA), a specialist professional mobile radio and two-way transceiver, that was launched in the city especially for the Games, is facing network problems in many areas.

Various government agencies such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Police, New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Transport Corporation among others were given Tetra sets by the Delhi government to stay connected.

Sources said there were a number of areas where connectivity has become a huge problem including the Games Village, Chankayapuri, parts of South Delhi, near Yamuna Sports Complex, Karni Singh Shooting Range, Indira Gandhi Stadium.

At the Karni Singh range, sources said, the system was down for as many as five days.

Sources added that due to connectivity problem, the Delhi Police are still using its own wireless network system to communicate along with Tetra.

"We will keep Tetra systems but will not be using them to communicate with our staff because our persons are not used to it and also due to security concerns. But we will remain connected with other civic agencies," said a senior Delhi police official requesting anonymity.

Detractors of the technology complained that the system was "not as promising as it sounds".

"Most of the time I have been using my mobile phone to communicate to other staff members. Also, we got the equipment late so not everyone is keen on using it now," said a senior official, not wishing to reveal his name.

The Tetra complaint centre has received hundreds of complaints related to connectivity, adaptability and from forces facing difficulty in using the system.

"This is the most advanced technology the world over. It will be further advanced to TEDS (TETRA High Speed Data), which will be launched soon. We have established 48 base stations to enhance the connectivity. All the Games venues are connected through Tetra," said Savitur Prasad Secretary, Information Technology, Delhi government.

TETRA is specifically designed for use by government agencies, emergency services, police force, fire department, ambulance, rail transportation staff, transport services and the army.

And it works in a very similar way to GSM.