Alberta MDMRS...

[electricsheep]

Someone here mentioned MDMRS being shut down, here is the latest note I received from someone in government (unofficially of course):

December 16, 2005
To MDMRS xxxxxxxx Users
Re: MDMRS Provincial Radio System
Please be advised that the planned decommissioning of the MDMRS Radio System has
been put on hold. This means that those still on the system will not have to find another
communications system provider. As we are made aware of discussions involving this
system we will keep you updated.

 

[Jay911]

Someone here mentioned MDMRS being shut down, here is the latest note I received from someone in government (unofficially of course):

December 16, 2005
To MDMRS xxxxxxxx Users
Re: MDMRS Provincial Radio System
Please be advised that the planned decommissioning of the MDMRS Radio System has
been put on hold. This means that those still on the system will not have to find another
communications system provider. As we are made aware of discussions involving this
system we will keep you updated.

Eeeeeenteresting! I was the one who said that and I was under the impression that MDMRS repeaters had already been taken down in some places (not replaced when developing faults, etc). I also thought that the current users of MDMRS were going to be included in the proposed province-wide system that will replace PACS and other stuff like the comm system of those of us in rural fire/rescue services. However, the wording of the above - "..will not have to find another communications system provider" seems to defy that implication.

Anyway, thanks for the info!

 

[electricsheep]

I know a little about this whole fiasco. It goes back to about 2001 when they wanted to replace the system but couldn't find anyone with an RFP comeback that was anywhere near what they could spend. They then decided to lease a system in 2002, but the company who won the lease contract (and did begin work, including field work) then tanked financially. I think the whole issue kind of bubbled for a bit after that, and now the are all sorts of proposals that include an integrated RCMP/PROVINCIAL system amongst several others... Nobody is working on a new system (at least beyond a sandbox concept stage) at this time that I am aware of.

 

[Jay911]

The element I'm familiar with is that a regional partnership involving, among others, the City of Calgary, Municipal District of Rocky View, Municipal District of Foothills, and some others, was all but ready to start building towers (on, most likely, a region-wide expansion of the 753f City of Calgary emergency services trunk), when word of the Mounties' intent to develop a regional system to replace PACS was leaked out, and the impression that I'm getting is that the partnership wants to see what the RCMP and/or province comes up with before spending any money themselves. I've also heard rumors ranging from "the system is still not decided on" to "they're taking a hard look at both Big M and M/A-COM" to "It's going to be a Big M system, the 'next generation' beyond SmartZone, called ASTRO 8.0".

So your guess is as good as mine at this point, I presume!

 

[SCPD]

Someone here mentioned MDMRS being shut down, here is the latest note I received from someone in government (unofficially of course):

December 16, 2005
To MDMRS xxxxxxxx Users
Re: MDMRS Provincial Radio System
Please be advised that the planned decommissioning of the MDMRS Radio System has
been put on hold. This means that those still on the system will not have to find another
communications system provider. As we are made aware of discussions involving this
system we will keep you updated.

Jon is correct, MDMRS is staying for the time being. I think you may of heard the North Alberta main control repeater site located in downtown Edmonton will have to move as Telus is in need the space for the Telus tv expansion project.

Currently the racks of radio stuff / controllers etc is pushed up against the back wall surrounded by plastic

 

[electricsheep]

MDMRS will now be shut down completely within the next "couple of months"

 

[Jay911]

O RLY?

What will they be doing with the highways guys (weigh scales etc), F&W, and so on?

 

[VE6RHS]

MDMRS is not likely to disappear for a while yet.

Look for a change in 1-2 years (if it happens that fast)!!!