State's new radio system coming together
[Source: The Chamberlain Register]
 
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- November 08, 2001
 
Work is coming together on a new, state-of-the-art radio system that was initiated by Gov. Bill Janklow.
When complete, public safety and government agencies will be able to talk to each other on a single radio network.

Work is under way at 35 radio towers across the state that are receiving upgraded digital equipment, said Otto Doll, commissioner of the state Bureau of Information and Telecommunications.

Also, inmate labor is being used to install mobile radios in Department of Transportation vehicles, he said. More than 250 radios have been put in place so far.

Doll said a milestone in construction could come as soon as next month when the system's central switch in Pierre is completed. The switch acts as the central nervous system for the network.

Janklow announced plans to build a new digital system earlier this fall.