Planning for the Replacement of the Campuses Current 800MHz Radio Systems

1. Planning for the Replacement of the Campuses� Current 800MHz Radio Systems UC Chiefs Quarterly MeetingAugust 5th, 2008 UC Communications Planning Group Representatives Paul Valenzuela � UCSB Brian Buckler � UCI Connie Geraghty � UCOP

2. Background In February 1993, the University of California System went to out to bid to replace the mix of multiple, non-compatible two-way radio systems supporting key operations for: Police Hospitals Environmental Health & Safety Facilities Management, Housing, Parking Telecommunications Athletics

3. Background continued The system was planned to increase the daily on-campus communications capability, efficiency, effectiveness, system management, and, in time of disaster, provide the flexibility to communicate individually, in pre-determined groups, or as a common group. Installations were completed in late 1997.

4. Current Status 800 MHz trunked systems are in place and working at eight campuses: UC Berkeley UC Davis UC Santa Cruz UCLA UC Irvine UC Riverside UC San Diego UC Santa Barbara UC Merced has a conventional rather than a trunked radio system

5. Current System Issues The 800MHz radio systems are getting old, Some terminal equipment can no longer be acquired, repaired, or maintained, Spare equipment is getting hard to find, Critical equipment will no longer be supported at the end of the 2008 calendar year, The entire system will no longer be supported sometime in 2012 timeframe, Failure of critical backbone equipment may make the trunked system unusable for the duration of a repair. Back up conventional systems may have to be used, The systems are analogue technology and the FCC is pushing to digital technology.

6. Rebanding In 2004, the FCC changed its rules to minimize interference to public safety communications systems from commercial cellular carriers who share nearby radio frequencies. Sprint/Nextel is acquiring the UC�s existing 800 MHz frequencies and moving the UC to new frequencies. This change will likely be complete at UC Berkeley and UC Davis by the end of 2008 and the rest of the campuses by the end of 2009. This change will not affect the end of the useful life of the existing radio system.

7. Immediate Plans Keep the current systems working until end-of-life on or about 2012 Commence discussions for the system�s replacement See �800 MHz Radio Survey�

8. What are the requirements for a replacement radio system? Questions for the UC Police Chiefs: 1) Does the current UC 800MHz system provide the level of life/safety radio communications needed 24/7? 2) Is local jurisdiction interoperability an issue that there is a need to carry a VHF/UHF radio to directly communicate with surrounding law/fire/ems agencies? Or, do such items as a console patch or other patching device suffice for cross agency communications? How important is this functionality to your operations? 3) If the plan is for the campus police to move away from a campus owned/operated trunked 800MHz system, how would this impact other support units such as Facilities, Housing, Parking, or other forms of event/emergency/disaster related communications?

9. What are the requirements for a replacement radio system Continued? 4) Would the Police support or resist the use of a commercial push-to-talk option such as Sprint/Nextel or Verizon to replace a campus radio system from a public safety point of view? Do you have concerns about in-building coverage? 5) Is there a serious interest in a UC-wide effort to replace the 800MHz systems with a UC-wide standard solution? If so, are there any suggestions as to how this would/should be funded? 6) Others?

10. Response/Questions CPG requests the UC Police Chiefs input on these questions and guidance on this important communications issue by the next quarterly UC Chiefs meeting. Responses should be directed to: Paul T. Valenzuela, Associate Director UCSB Communications Services � Office of Information Technology pvalenzuela@commserv.ucsb.edu 805-893-7222