Ministério da Administração Interna (Ministry of Internal Administration)
Gabinete do Ministro(Minister's Office)
Ministerial Order
1 - Considering the Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 88/99, of 12, August that established as a government objective the guarantee of inter-operability of emergency and security communications via the installation and use of a unique infrastructure serving as support for the radiocommunications of the various entities with attributions in these fields, in order to replace the existing multiple networks.
2 - Considering that the technological norm, TETRA, is the European norm best suited to fulfil the operational needs of the emergency services and security forces and for this reason it is important that it be imported to Portugal, under the terms of the said resolution;
3 - Considering that the same resolution recognises that the existence of a sole network dedicated to communications of this nature constitutes a suitable instrument to ensure greater rationalisation in the management of financial resources and optimisation of use of the radioelectric spectrum, also making it possible to effectively satisfy the operational requirements of the emergency services and security forces, specifically in terms of quality, reliability and security of communications;
4 - Considering that the Government, under the terms of paragraph g) of article 199 of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, decided, with direct implications for the Home Office that:
5 - The Home Office (MAI) is responsible for the coordination of the process that will lead to the establishment and supply of the future national mobile network for the emergency services and security forces, to be implemented in accordance with TETRA technology, in the band 380 MHz-400 MHz; in function of the system's technical and operational specifications as defined by ICP;
6 - The Home Office (MAI) should contact the other departments of the State's central administration to which the entities with responsibilities in the field of emergency services and security forces report, in order to determine the respective global and individual communication needs and the collection of data for the preparation of the tender specifications required in order for the public tender to be launched;
7 - Considering that since July 1, 1998 the Office of Studies and Planning of Installations (Gabinete de Estudos e de Planeamento de Instalações), has been mandated by the Assistant Secretary of State of the Home Office to form part of the informal group of 12 nations that have projects for the communications networks of the national security forces;
8 - Considering that, in this ambit, the Office of Studies and Planning of Installations, in compliance with point 7 of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 89/99, has contacted the entities with attributions in the field of emergency services and security forces in order to obtain the factual elements concerning the volume of communications made by the entities that will use the future mobile network for the emergency services, and all data required to prepare the tender specifications to be used in the public tender whose object is the establishment and supply of the said communications network;
It is hereby determined that:
The Office of Studies and Planning of Installations of the Home Office will prepare and co-ordinate the studies and other initiatives required to conduct the adjudication procedure inherent to the establishment and supply of the future mobile network of the emergency services and security forces, to be implemented in accordance with TETRA technology, in the band 380 MHz-400 MHz, within the scope of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 87/99, of 12August.
The Assistant Secretary of State of the Home Office will oversee the implementation of the future national mobile network for the emergency services and security forces. April 26, 2000. - Home Office Minister, Fernando Manuel dos Santos Gomes.
