Security radio Polycom will not be replaced

The Polycom security radio network is used intensively on a daily basis and enables radio contact between Switzerland's rescue and security authorities and organizations, as well as national road maintenance and critical infrastructure operators, the Federal Council writes. Between 2001 and 2015, all cantons joined the system, according to the media release . In order for Polycom to be used by 2030, the system will need to be technologically overhauled. Only in this way will users be able to replace their base stations (antennas), which have reached their service life, according to the statement.

Total credit for value maintenance

A fundamental replacement of Polycom with another system makes neither economic, technical nor operational sense, according to the Federal Council's statement. The order for the Polycom value retention had gone to the existing manufacturers and suppliers, as they hold the necessary licenses as intellectual property.

According to the Federal Council, in order to secure production and programming capacities for Switzerland, the development of the so-called gateway, which will enable parallel operation of older and new base stations during the changeover period, had to be commissioned as early as spring 2016. To this end, the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) had signed a performance agreement with the industry in December 2015 for the value maintenance of Polycom, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary credits. A detailed contract on the possible cooperation has been drawn up.

The total expenditure for maintaining Polycom's value will amount to 500 million Swiss francs by 2030, according to reports. A commitment credit of 159.6 million Swiss francs is being proposed to parliament (Message on the total credit).

Opening of the consultation

A more solid legal basis is to be created for the partial renewal of the Polycom security radio system, which is due to start in 2018, and for sharing the costs. This is to be achieved by amending the Civil Protection Act of October 4, 2002 (BZG; SR 520.1). In view of the time required for an amendment of the law, which would take several years, the Federal Council intends to introduce the following as an interim solution Alarm Ordinance of 18 August 2010 (AV; SR 520.12). Therefore, the consultation on the amendment of the Alarm Ordinance has been opened. It will last until September 16, 2016, and the dispatch on the corresponding amendment to the Federal Law on Civil Protection is expected to be submitted to parliament in 2017. In substance, the aim is to reflect the generally accepted current practice with regard to cost sharing. The amendments to the Alarm Ordinance will have no financial or personnel implications for the Confederation and the cantons, according to the report.