Phasing in technology will be the hot topic at the Capital Region CREST meeting slated for today (Sept. 17).
“The big item we’ll be discussion is moving to a new and more advanced technology for the radio system,” said Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen. “Phasing in what really is now in North America, and will soon be right across North America, the standard for use for emergency radios.”
Capital Region Emergency Service Telecommunications provides radio service for emergency services throughout the region. CRD members will consider the new technology plan to implement a 700 megahertz spectrum. CREST’s shareholders will be asked to support making a $24 million investment in a five-year plan to upgrade CREST’s technology to further improve reliability and coverage.
“The operating agreement we’ve all signed on is that anything higher than a two per cent increase in any given year would require special majority,” Jensen said. “We’re doing it within those limits. That just shows how well our staff have done in terms of putting not only an excellent technology plan together but a well balanced budget to pay for it.”