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Wyoming’s statewide public safety radio (Wirelink) expanding sites; satellite and LTE integration explored
Summary
WYDOT briefed the committee on Wirelink operations: the system now serves roughly 550 agencies with rising usage, ARPA funds built new sites, and the agency is planning microwave upgrades, Critical Connect links to LTE carriers and preliminary evaluation of satellite integration.
Nate Smolinski, WYDOT chief technology officer, updated the committee on the state’s public safety radio network (Wirelink) and related communications work on May 1.
Smolinski said Wirelink now supports roughly 550 agencies and sees 8–10% annual usage growth as the state adds users and sites. The agency completed a capital upgrade that added 16 new sites in 2024 and is constructing two additional ARPA‑funded sites (northern Sheridan County/Kearns Wildlife Refuge and south of Saratoga outside Encampment).
Smolinski said WYDOT is classifying sites as core (mountain/tall‑tower coverage), PCE (portable coverage enhancement for in‑building coverage near communities) and locally owned sites (towers built by counties or cities but open to statewide users). He said WYDOT will subsidize local tower service contracts with general funds to keep locally owned sites available to all Wirelink users.
On technology strategy, Smolinski said WYDOT plans microwave infrastructure upgrades (ARPA partially funded work but costs were higher than initially budgeted) and is pursuing “Critical Connect” links that let Wirelink interoperate with neighboring state radio systems and with cellular carriers (Verizon, AT&T/FirstNet). He said satellite is under study: satellite links are not yet mission‑critical for primary radio operations, but WYDOT is examining satellite as a redundancy and for coverage gaps in rugged terrain; the agency also works with commercial carriers to use phone apps that bridge cellular networks with Wirelink radio talk groups.
WYDOT will deliver a biannual Wirelink report to the committee and continue life‑cycle planning with Motorola and other vendors to estimate future capital needs. Smolinski said ARPA funds of $35 million were spent on priority upgrades but that total long‑term microwave and infrastructure life‑cycle needs could be higher than initial estimates.
Ending: WYDOT asked the committee to expect more detail in its biannual Wirelink report and life‑cycle plan, including costs and a deployment roadmap for microwave and interoperability upgrades.
