[News] Vodafone set to mobilise New Zealand Police
New Zealand Police has chosen Vodafone as its partner for mobile communications – acknowledging the company’s expertise in transforming businesses through mobility.
Announced by Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key, Minster of Police Hon Anne Tolley and Police Commissioner Peter Marshall, Vodafone will deliver customised mobile services, tablets and smartphones to 6,086 frontline district staff from April this year. The initial rollout is expected to take approximately three months. By mid-2014 6,500 staff will be equipped with the new devices in a 10 year fully outsourced deal.
Of these frontline response, investigation and community Police officers, 3,900 officers will also receive a tablet. The larger device is for staff who need to do more complex data entry as part of their job.
Police Commissioner Peter Marshall says the decision for Police to roll out smartphones and tablets to frontline staff will fundamentally change the way these officers do their jobs.
“We believe greater use of modern technology is the way of the future; it’s common sense, and will ensure officers can remain on the frontline rather than returning to stations to complete paperwork,” he says.
The deal is part of the All of Government procurement process and will see Vodafone link fixed line services to mobility, reducing cost duplication for back office communications.
Vodafone CEO Russell Stanners says total mobility is the best way to support one of New Zealand’s most mobile force – police officers in the field.
“We are honoured to be trusted in taking on this important support role for the New Zealand Police. Vodafone has championed the benefits of mobility for many years, and we are pleased to be partnering with New Zealand Police to help them realise their goals.”
“As part of our local partnership we are jointly creating an Application Development Centre, which will kick start with several applications immediately available for New Zealand use. This Centre will be a hothouse of new developments which will ensure Police continue to lead with the best technology to meet their needs.”
“Every year Vodafone invest over $100 million in our network in New Zealand and this year’s investment programme, focused on delivering speeds up to twice as fast through 42Mb/s technology, means our customers – including Police – can do what they need to do, faster with the latest technology. This will deliver an outcome that directly benefits the security and safety of New Zealand communities”
In rural areas, Police will take advantage of improved broadband and mobile coverage delivered through the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative in which Vodafone is a key infrastructure partner, Stanners says. A total of 154 new sites will be built and 387 upgraded meaning new mobile coverage for over 93,000 rural addresses and 4500km of roads that were previously without.
