COMLINC

Commonwealth’s Link to Interoperable Communications

Mutual aid situations require that multiple agencies, from different jurisdictions and with incompatible radio equipment, be able to communicate effectively. The COMLINC (Commonwealth’s Link to Interoperable Communications) project leverages Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology that will allow disparate radio systems to communicate within Virginia.   When implemented, COMLINC will interface with the Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) network and enable communications between local and state agencies by eliminating the roadblocks imposed by these incompatible radio systems that exist today. COMLINC will allow the Commonwealth to leverage existing investments in communication infrastructure by using VoIP technology to attain interoperable communications between localities, regions and state agencies.

COMLINC Options?

COMLINC is currently comprised of several VoIP solutions offered by various companies.  The Motobridge IP solution is available for localities to purchase off the existing Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) contract.  While this option is available to localities, many localities must conduct RFP processes when going through procurement. The State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) and the Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator are currently researching various options with VSP to deploy a technology providing VoIP connectivity to every locality.  The objective of COMLINC is to allow all VoIP solutions to connect to STARS and various localities within regions to increase interoperable communications while within a system’s footprint.  If a locality chooses to go through an Requests for Proposal (RFP) process to procure a VoIP solution that will link up with STARS it is strongly encouraged that that locality coordinate with STARS and the Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator's Office (CICO) to properly identify the technical and functional requirements to be used in the RFP.  Failure to do so may result in many advanced radio features being unavailable.    

Greater Control to Local Dispatchers and Systems

COMLINC allows dispatchers at the counties and cities to establish multiple patches to connect agencies within the jurisdiction or to other localities.  One of the paths will come back to the STARS network that will allow connection to multiple state agencies.  The locality dispatcher can use the other patches to connect agencies within the jurisdiction or to other localities.  For example, a Sheriff’s Department can patch to the Fire Department regardless of the frequencies used by each agency. Patches can also be made to phone networks and used to establish dispatcher conferences. This will give localities the ability to control which systems they need to establish with. 

COMLINC will replace the single Radio Frequency (RF) dispatcher to dispatcher patches to localities and STARS state agencies.

Current COMLINC Projects

COMLINC represents an opportunity for localities to maintain current communication systems and create interoperability between disparate systems within a region.  COMLINC also allows regions to tap into the Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) which supports Virginia State Police and 20 other state agencies.  The State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) has endorsed the COMLINC concept and is currently working with STARS to identify the best VoIP solution to support COMLINC.  Figure 13 shows where COMLINC is being built across the Commonwealth.

Figure 15: COMLINC Implementation Locations

The STARS Project Team is working in conjunction with the Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator, State Interoperability Executive Committee, and the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) to ensure that all VoIP technologies that are considered for COMLINC meet certain technical and functional requirements.  This collaboration is also working to ensure that ongoing costs localities will pay to leverage this technology are reduced by using economies of scale.

The information below describes current COMLINC projects:

Region 1

Region 1 was awarded $1.5 Million from the Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) through the Commonwealth Preparedness Working Group to pilot a COMLINC project to link up 14 of the region’s 25 localities.  Implementation will be complete by June 2006.  Participating localities include Powhatan County, Caroline County, Richmond County, Hanover County, Essex County, Chesterfield County, Goochland County, Northumberland County, Lancaster County, Henrico County, New Kent County, Charles City County, King George County, and Westmoreland County.  The Region 1 COMLINC project is using the Motorola Motobridge IP solution.

Region 3

The Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was awarded approximately $1.4 Million by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Interoperable Communications Technology FY 2005 Grant program to implement COMLINC within Region 3.  The Lynchburg MSA is currently compiling a joint RFP with the Roanoke MSA to provide a VoIP system that will link up both regions’ disparate radio systems.

Region 6

The Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was awarded $866,570 by the COPS Interoperable Communications Technology FY 2005 Grant program to implement COMLINC within Region 6.  The Roanoke MSA is leading efforts to increase the number of localities participating in this project.  The Roanoke MSA is currently compiling a joint RFP with the Lynchburg MSA to provide a VoIP system that will link up both regions’ disparate radio systems.

Local Interoperability Grants

In FY 2006, the SIEC awarded $75,000 each to Amelia County, Nottoway County and Montgomery County to implement COMLINC.  These localities plan to work with the SIEC to select the best technology at the best price to support the VoIP COMLINC.

For more information about COMLINC, please contact Captain Michael Bolton at (804) 674-2443 or the Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator’s Office at 804-225-3800.