Airwave is a national system covering England, Scotland and Wales that will provide a modern, dedicated and fully integrated emergency communications system for the police. Once the infrastructure is in place across the country, the service has the potential to be extended to include the other emergency services- particularly fire and ambulance-to ensure joined up communication amongst all emergency services.
Airwave is not a commercial communications system. Its whole purpose is to improve the safety of the general public and, ultimately, save lives. Airwave has a duty to ensure that comprehensive coverage is achieved throughout the geography covered by the police force.
Airwave must site base stations (also called transmitters) in places that will deliver the coverage the police have said they require. There must not be any significant "dead spots" in radio coverage as these could put at risk not only individual police officers but also members of the public.