The traffic police in the world's second largest city Sao Paulo will soon be using a Tait mobile communications system.

The Municipal Department of Transportation in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is being supplied a sophisticated Tait voice and data system providing coverage across most of the metropolitan area, which has a population of 18 million people.

The multi-million dollar contract is for the supply of a trunked radio network complete with portable and vehicle mounted radios.

As well as providing advanced voice communications features, the Tait system will include Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), a data system using GPS to help with the location and management of a significant number of the department's vehicle fleet.

The equipment will be sold to Teleglobal S.A. which, in conjunction with another Brazilian company, were the successful bidders to supply the Traffic Police and Traffic Engineering Department with a mobile communications system.

The turnkey system is important for Tait, not only because of its size but also because of the opportunities it will create, according to Managing Director Michael Chick.

"While we have product in almost 100 countries, Brazil is a relatively new market for Tait.

"This traffic police system is a high profile contract. To be chosen ahead of our major international competitors is a real coup for Tait, and this will help open doors for us in Brazil."

Mr Chick says the contract was also further proof of the success of MPT 1327, the trunked radio technology used by Tait.

"There is a wide array of mobile technologies in the market today but once again a significant public safety organisation, with demanding communications requirements, has chosen the proven, high performing MPT 1327 option."

Teleglobal Vice President of Operations, Luiz Henrique Poleto, is also confident of a bright future for both Teleglobal and Tait in the large, but capital constrained, Brazilian communications market.

"We are delighted that Tait was able to work flexibly with our company in providing both a commercial and technical solution for this project, and we are optimistic of future business for both companies in the government and local authority sector."

The Sao Paulo Traffic Police system is expected to be installed and operating by the middle of this year.

Read more information about MPT 1327 equipment.