TPS System

[newtoscanning]

Just out of curiosity, who owns and maintains the Toronto public safety system, I know that there has been talk of police going digital, but wouldn't that mean everyone goes digital. However if TEMS or TFS is happy with what they've got, how can police force them to upgrade, or does the money come from some special agency dedicated to the maintenance of the system.

So my question is: Who manages/owns the system, and how is it paid for (infrastructure mostly since understanding a portable/mobile is specific to the agency using it)

Thanks!

 

[I_10_92]

I"m not sure of the radio systems, but I'm pretty sure Rogers supplies their MWS connections.

 

[exkalibur]

The system is owned by the Corporation of the City of Toronto. The system is maintained by Toronto Police Information and Telecommunications...Radio & Electronics unit.

Rogers and Bell both provide the MWS network.

 

[pathalogical]

Just out of curiosity, who owns and maintains the Toronto public safety system, I know that there has been talk of police going digital, but wouldn't that mean everyone goes digital. However if TEMS or TFS is happy with what they've got, how can police force them to upgrade, or does the money come from some special agency dedicated to the maintenance of the system.

So my question is: Who manages/owns the system, and how is it paid for (infrastructure mostly since understanding a portable/mobile is specific to the agency using it)

Thanks!

It's paid for by the taxpayers ! TPS is the largest recipient of property tax revenue and I'm sure some of the moola goes towards the radio system and any potential upgrade. http://www.toronto.ca/budget2007/pdf/howyourtax.pdf

 

[shifty646]

I always thought one of the big providers had a hand in it.

 

[pathalogical]

Just out of curiosity, who owns and maintains the Toronto public safety system, I know that there has been talk of police going digital, but wouldn't that mean everyone goes digital. However if TEMS or TFS is happy with what they've got, how can police force them to upgrade, or does the money come from some special agency dedicated to the maintenance of the system.

So my question is: Who manages/owns the system, and how is it paid for (infrastructure mostly since understanding a portable/mobile is specific to the agency using it)

Thanks!

If police want to go digital, I don't think they can force others to do so. Same with encryption. Look at OPP/Fleetnet, the police are digital but various EMS on the same system are analog, so they must be happy with it. Also, even though they are on the same system, they are each a separate 'company' with different spending habits. If the police can afford to go digital, EMS or Fire may not have the funding to do so.

 

[torontokris]

Agreed OPP/Fleetnet is a good example some can go digital while others can be analog.

Which is a good sign that means its not a full P25 system (like go transit) so analog scanner users can still get some listening to Ambulance etc.

And the big providers always have a hand in the $750,000,000 dollar Toronto Police budget

Guess property taxes will have to climb some more if they get a new radio system.

 

[newtoscanning]

all digital

I was told that all users (regardless of host agency) will be going digital by 2012. (understanding that this date may get pushed back from delays', but it's scheduled date is 2012) As a result all users will need to upgrade to the XTS5000. All of EMS is there already, police is switching, I saw some officers (paid duties so I don't know what division) had XTS5000, however I know fire is still working off the XTS3500.

Not sure about what needs to happen in vehciles. I know fire is using MCS2000's and EMS is using a GE or /\/\ radio.

I'm sure someone's got a bit more info on this?

 

[Chrome69]

In Peel so far, Mississauga and Brampton Fire Have been upgraded to XTL5000 in the trucks along with new CAD units... Now from what i have heard with PRP they are still playing with different ideas but one that has come to the for front is CAD's installed in the cars for dispatch of calls. Now i don't know if it will be a new unit or implanted in the MDU's. I just know the CADs have GPS and not sure if the MDU's are setup for that at this point of time... But at this point it seems all of peel safety will be going CAD. But PRP is budgeting the CAD's for the cars in 2008

 

[exkalibur]

Here's the skinny of what we know so far on the TPS system.

Here's the current state of equipment;

Toronto Fire: Portables-XTS3000, Mobiles-MCS2000 & XTL5000
Toronto EMS: Portables-XTS5000, Mobiles-Not Installed
Toronto Police: Portables-MTS2000 (switching to XTS5000), Mobiles: Spectra (switching to XTL5000)

Note, Toronto EMS DO have mobiles, but they are on the EDACS system so they "don't count" right now.

As is right now, they could easily upgrade certain users to digital and even encryption, without needing any chances as TPS already has numerous digital/encrypted users.

However, if they are going to switch to an ASTRO25 9600 system (as GO Transit has), everyone would need to be digital. This means Toronto Fire would need all new portables and mobiles and Toronto EMS would need to get mobiles.

So when you look at the numbers, it isn't THAT improbable that they would switch to a fully 9600 system. As for certain users not wanting digital - too bad. Digital is the future, suck it up, it works/sounds better anyway.

Now, as we know - Toronto Police has been slowly swapping out their portables and mobiles. 4 District has already been completed and many other units are well on their way (Courts and Parking Enforcement for example, are I'd say 75% there).

Given the recent addition to several hundred radio IDs, I would say something is on the horizon.

However, we'll have to wait and see what happens. The day we hear a 9600 control channel on an existing TPS frequency - we'll have our answer. Of course, that says nothing to the topic of encryption. Personally, I hope they don't encrypt everything but from a dollars perspective, there's really not THAT much of a difference - and the users benefit from the extra that is spent.

Then there's our "end of the world" theory that has been tossed around a lot (mostly by a renegade trigger-happy media person) that everything City related will join this system - Police, Fire, EMS, TTC, Works, By-Law, Corporate Security, Hydro etc... That'll be a bad day for us. Personally speaking, I'm perfectly happy as long as I can listen to my EMS and Fire. I don't really give a hoot about TPS - but I know a lot of ya'll do!