Commonwealth of Virginia announce contract for $329 million new statewide communications system

Radio System to Connect 20 State Agencies,
Plus Cities and Counties

Twenty Virginia state public safety and public service agencies are taking another step in protecting Virginians in times of disaster, whether the emergency is natural or manmade, by announcing plans for a new, $329 million sophisticated digital voice and wireless data communications system.

In special ceremonies at Virginia State Police headquarters in Richmond on Friday, state officials said the Commonwealth had contracted with Motorola to design, construct and implement the VHF digital trunked communications system. The system will be installed in seven phases, the first of which will serve central Virginia and is projected for completion in late 2005. The entire project is slated for completion in 2009.

Governor Mark R. Warner called the system the state’s most comprehensive multi-agency radio system ever.

“Never before has Virginia embarked on such an aggressive and monumental multi-agency project as this,” Governor Warner said. “Upon completion, 20 state agencies and countless localities will be linked by a cutting-age digital voice and data communications system.”

The Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) responds to the Commonwealth’s recognized need for a shared, statewide, public safety-grade radio system that includes law enforcement mobile data, and provides interoperability among state, county and local police communications systems. STARS will replace the existing analog communications system used by Virginia State Police and other state agencies.

"STARS is a sophisticated and powerful communications system, one built on established communications standards, engineered to use available spectrum efficiently, and designed with the flexibility to accommodate emerging needs and technologies well into the future," said Greg Brown, Motorola Executive Vice President, and president and CEO of the corporation's Commercial Government and Industrial Solutions Sector. "STARS reflects Motorola's acknowledged technological expertise, considerable experience implementing systems of its significance and magnitude, and our relationship with the state, one that provided a special perspective on the communications needs of its many agencies."

The new communications system will include a transportable communication site designed to be moved and placed into service anywhere within the Commonwealth. This will provide state and local agencies with the additional capacity, interoperability and support for disaster-recovery operations or special events.

STARS also will feature a network of 130 land mobile and digital microwave sites to interconnect land mobile radio, mobile data, telephone, and alarm and control networks. Each city and county government in the Commonwealth will have at least one interoperability connection to the system at no cost.

In addition, Motorola will handle distribution of all subscriber equipment, and provide training to personnel for all STARS participating agencies to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.

The Virginia State Police will lead the development and implementation of the STARS project for the Commonwealth. The state police created a STARS Unit in 2000 to coordinate all project activity.

“For the Virginia State Police, STARS is not just about finally replacing the Department’s 27-year-old, antiquated communications system,” Colonel W. Steve Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent, said. “This is about saving lives. A trooper’s radio is his or her lifeline. When seconds count, so does efficient and clear communication for the injured motorist, crime victim or wounded trooper.”

STARS membership currently includes these Virginia state agencies.

Department of Alcohol Beverage Control;
Department of Aviation;
Division of Capitol Police;
Department of Conservation and Recreation;
Department of Corrections;
Department of Emergency Management;
Department of Environmental Quality;
Department of Fire Programs;
Department of Forestry;
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries;
Department of Health;
Department of Juvenile Justice;
Department of Military Affairs;
Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy;
Department of Motor Vehicles;
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation;
Department of State Police;
Department of Transportation;
Virginia Information Technology Agency;
Virginia Marine Resources Commission.