Ny Contracts For Emergency Wifi Radio Network
New York state officials have announced plans to enter into a $1 billion contract with Tyco International subsidiary M/A-Com to build a statewide wireless emergency communications system. Law enforcement officials in the state have long stressed the need for a new system, in order to put an end to situations in which officers and other rescue personnel cannot contact each other because the current state communications system is outdated.
The Pataki administration, which has been discussing the creation of a new state police communications system for eight years, says its goal is to build a system to cover 95 percent of the state’s geographic area and 97 percent of its roadways.
The deal with M/A-Com includes the installation of several towers in populated areas, and repeaters on emergency vehicles to help improve radio signals and communications between police, fire, and other rescue workers.
Announcement of the deal has sparked criticism from some state lawmakers, who are questioning the bidding process for the technology contract.
Motorola, which was initially in talks with state officials to develop the wireless communications system, has argued that its roughly $3 billion bid is more tailored to meet the state’s needs.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the New York Times (05/07/04) P. B1; Santora, Marc; Baker, Al .