SMi, PowerTrunk to implement TETRA network for BC Hydro
The S.M. Group International and PowerTrunk have been selected by BC Hydro to implement the first fully operational TETRA network in North America. SMi will provide system integration and PowerTrunk will supply the TETRA LMR infrastructure and terminals to improve safety and communications in the Vancouver Lower Mainland region of British Columbia province.
The BC Hydro PowerTrunk network covering Vancouver and surrounding areas will consist of 25 TETRA 409-430 MHz site base stations, connected via the BC Hydro IP backhaul network, and up to 820 TETRA terminals as 450 mobiles, 350 handhelds, 20 fixed. To support 14 dispatchers, PowerTrunk will provide 3 CeCoCo command and control centers that interface to BC Hydro’s legacy VHF system.
BC Hydro operates and maintains a power system infrastructure that serves more than 1.8 million customers in an area including over 95% of British Columbia’s population. For the efficient and safe execution of fieldwork during normal and emergency operating conditions, BC Hydro crews require reliable and convenient mobile voice communications at all substations, dams, and generating stations, and along all distribution and transmission lines. Although the main requirement is for voice, BC Hydro will also use the mobile communications system for data applications such as short data and text messaging.