Tait Communications and Zetron Implement Voice Console Technology for New Zealand’s New Land Mobile Radio Network

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 14, 2026--

Tait Communications, a leading global supplier of critical communications solutions, has partnered with Zetron, a global leader in end-to-end command and control technologies, to successfully implement voice console technology for New Zealand’s emergency services.

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Tait contracted Zetron to supply voice consoles to be integrated into the communications systems of the agencies who will use the new Public Safety Network (PSN) Land Mobile Radio (LMR) network in New Zealand. Crown company SafetyNet Critical Communications (SafetyNet) brought the Agencies together and supported their work with Tait Communications and Zetron.

Implementation of the voice console technology concluded in the first half of 2026. New Zealand Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand have both migrated to the new solution and are using it, with Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance to follow.

Zetron’s voice console technology helps ensure emergency communications dispatchers can efficiently, reliably and securely communicate with and coordinate first responders in the field.

Since 2022, Tait has played a leading vendor role in building the PSN’s Land Mobile Radio network across New Zealand, a key element of the Government's public safety communications ecosystem being rolled out by SafetyNet. The LMR network is based on Project 25 (P25) standards technology that will provide emergency services with the modern, resilient, secure radio technology they need to strengthen their critical communications and help keep New Zealand communities safe.

“Tait’s open-standards interoperable technology allows our customers to select the best technology partners to best serve their needs,” said Yoram Benit, PhD, Tait Communications CEO and Managing Director. “Zetron is a member of Tait’s Technology Partner Program, and we value Zetron’s collaboration to deliver a robust mission critical radio network to New Zealand’s emergency services agencies.”

Zetron has provided critical communications solutions worldwide for more than 40 years. While Zetron voice consoles will be deployed in support of voice communications across the nationwide P25 network, Zetron’s solutions are also fully compatible and ready for broader SafetyNet communications initiatives, including broadband PTT (push-to-talk) over cellular and 3GPP standards-based MCX (mission critical communications) for voice, video and other data.

“Tait and Zetron have a long history of working together to successfully deliver some of the largest and most critical communications networks in the world, and we are honoured to partner with Tait in support of the New Zealand PSN initiative,” said Scott French, Zetron President and Executive General Manager. “Our shared commitments to high quality, standards-based solutions are aligned to offer customers optimal interoperability, flexibility and choice in meeting their specific requirements at every step of the emergency response continuum.”

SafetyNet’s Head of Product, Design and Innovation, Steve Lawrence said that Zetron was a genuine partner throughout the project.

“They were proactive from the outset, consistently went beyond what was asked of them and worked openly with us and the agencies at every stage. They gave value throughout the project in ways we hadn’t anticipated, largely due to the effort and time they put into understanding SafetyNet and our emergency services customers’ operational needs.”

Interoperable Mission Critical Voice

Public safety agencies rely on mission critical voice communications for daily activities, especially during emergencies. Interoperable, standards-based technology allows emergency services agencies to take advantage of best-of-breed networks with reliable coverage and instant communications between different user groups. This deployment integrates voice console technology for the P25 network with strong governance and aggregation oversight from SafetyNet Critical Communications, providing an interoperable solution to be used by numerous public safety agencies across New Zealand.

About the Public Safety Network

The Public Safety Network (PSN) is a significant New Zealand critical communications infrastructure project, investing $1.7 billion over 10 years to build and operate the networks and services, and roll out new devices to emergency services staff, stations and vehicles.

The LMR network based on P25 standards is one part of the PSN being delivered by SafetyNet Critical Communications on behalf of Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Wellington Free Ambulance and Hato Hone St John.

The LMR network will sit alongside the PSN Cellular Services. Cellular Roaming allows users to roam across Spark and One NZ networks, and Cellular Priority allows Emergency Service users to gain access to both cellular networks ahead of other users if there’s congestion or degradation on those networks.

The third element of the Public Safety Network involves the modernisation of ‘personal alerting’ technology, including for use in mobilising volunteers.

About Tait Communications

Tait Communications designs, manufactures, and supports interoperable critical communications networks and terminals. It has been in business for more than 50 years. Tait provides its customers with rugged, high-reliability mobile radio solutions and is increasingly linking that expertise with a range of broadband technologies and services. Visit www.taitcommunications.com.

About Zetron

Zetron is a leading provider of communications technology and services that help save lives and enable critical operations. Zetron solutions are highly interoperable, configurable, and scalable, offering unrivalled choice, flexibility, and value. Zetron delivers solutions that are purpose-built to be always ready, always on — anywhere that uninterrupted mission critical communications are non-negotiable. For more information visit: www.zetron.com, join us on LinkedIn, or follow us on X @ZetronInc.

New Zealand police officer interviews a person involved in a collision.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears are navigating a tricky situation with their quarterbacks while working through a murky picture along their defensive line.

Coach Ben Johnson has a lot going on at the moment.

Caleb Williams was projected as a full participant on the injury report for the team's walkthrough on Wednesday, but Johnson declined to announce his starting quarterback for this weekend's game at Atlanta. Williams hasn't played since he hurt his right hamstring in the fourth quarter of a 9-3 loss to Minnesota on Sept. 20.

Tyson Bagent started Sunday’s 31-7 loss at Green Bay and threw two interceptions. Case Keenum was picked off and lost a fumble after replacing Bagent early in the fourth quarter.

“In regards to the quarterback situation, a lot of things have gone through our minds,” Johnson said. “First and foremost, health is the No. 1 priority for all three guys. I don’t know that any of them are exactly 100% at this point in the season. That’s something that we certainly look at.”

Another complicating factor is a quick turnaround from Sunday's matchup with Atlanta to next Thursday's home game against the New England Patriots.

The 24-year-old Williams worked out on the field before the loss to the Packers. Asked if he was preparing for Williams to start against the Falcons, Johnson said it's still a fluid situation.

“But I feel good about the plan that we have in place at this point,” he said.

Beyond Williams, it's unclear who exactly is regarded as the team's No. 2 QB at the moment. Bagent began the season as Williams' backup, but he was 12 for 21 for just 87 yards against the Packers.

“I think once again, I put our struggles on myself more than anything else from the game the other day,” Johnson said, “and I have to do a better job making sure we get in a rhythm on offense, regardless of who’s playing the quarterback position.”

Depth along the defensive line also has become a major question after Montez Sweat was suspended for two games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy. Dayo Odeyingbo departed Sunday's loss with a quadriceps injury, and Johnson said the 27-year-old defensive end is expected to miss some time.

Shemar Turner replaced Sweat on Chicago’s roster, but he is a bit of a wild card after opening the season on the physically unable to perform list while continuing his recovery from a torn ACL. The 23-year-old Turner was a second-round selection in last year’s draft.

Austin Booker, who has a team-high four sacks, likely will see increased playing time while Sweat and Odeyingbo are out. Jamree Kromah and Jayden Loving also could figure into the mix after they were inactive against Green Bay.

“The good thing is we have really planned for this,” Johnson said. “We’ve got some guys on the active roster that haven’t even been active yet. Some defensive linemen that we feel really strongly about and what they did during training camp. This might be their opportunity as well.”

Chicago also could be without linebacker T.J. Edwards and defensive back Tyrique Stevenson for the matchup with Atlanta because of hamstring injuries. Edwards had a did-not-practice designation on Wednesday, and Stevenson was listed as limited.

Johnson described Stevenson as more day to day, while Edwards is more of a week-to-week situation.

The defensive injuries make the already daunting task of stopping Falcons running back Bijan Robinson even more difficult.

“It takes a whole unit to attempt to slow down a special player like Bijan, God-given ability to see, to burst, to separate, to contact balance,” said defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, a Georgia native who spent his first 10 seasons with the Falcons. "I mean this is a really, really special player, special person, and he knows he’s the bloodline of that organization. So we’ve got a heck of a challenge ahead of us.”

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

FILE - Chicago Bears defensive lineman Montez Sweat leaves the field after an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)

Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams is seen before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson talks after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)