WASHINGTON-The estimated $1 billion contract awarded to M/A-COM to build a public-safety wireless network throughout New York state will be paid for through a 911 cell-phone surcharge on consumer bills, calling into question whether funds will be diverted from a federal mandate requiring wireless carriers to locate subscribers when they make emergency calls.
With the contract extending 20 years, New York mobile-phone subscribers are likely to see their monthly bills rise even as location-based, enhanced 911 struggles for dollars.
The state did not explain why it is forcing wireless consumers to pay for public-safety services that benefit all the state’s citizens. California will have a ballot initiative in November asking voters to approve a 3-percent tax on cell-phone service to help underwrite the cost of emergency rooms and advanced wireless 911 service. The mobile-phone industry opposes the measure and others like it popping up around the country in budget-crunched states.
“Sept. 11 (2001) and other large-scale emergencies in recent years have underscored the need to have a reliable, integrated communication system so emergency responders can talk with each other and share critical information whenever necessary,” said James Dillon, New York’s chief information officer. “The establishment of this communication system is another important step in the state’s efforts to protect New Yorkers.”
M/A-COM reportedly underbid Motorola Inc. by some $2 billion. The public-safety wireless market has become highly lucrative in the aftermath of Sept. 11, with other states changing out old systems and replacing them with state-of-the art digital networks.
It is unclear whether Motorola, the only other bidder, will appeal the M/A-COM grant.
“We are still weighing our options. We don’t have enough information to make any decisions yet,” said Margot Brown, a Motorola spokeswoman.
M/A-COM, a unit of Tyco International, did not respond to a request for comment.
The state said the evaluation was conducted during the past 15 months-following the Jan. 7, 2003, deadline for the request for proposal-by a team of public and private-sector experts representing the public-safety, environment, technology and finance sectors.
A key element of the M/A-COM proposal, according to the state, was that it minimized the environmental impact by making significant use of existing infrastructure and limiting the number and height of transmission towers.
New York and M/A-COM now enter into contract negotiations, a process that is expected to last six months.
Rob Roddy, a press spokesman for Dillon, said the New York system will operate on 700 MHz and 800 MHz frequencies. Roddy, who declined to say how much the contract is worth, said cities and towns can decide whether to tap into the statewide system.
New York City, for its part, has solicited bids for a novel, broadband safety system at 4.9 GHz.
New York’s statewide wireless network will be used for day-to-day communications of police, firefighters and medics, as well as for emergencies across multiple jurisdictions
“Current public-safety communications systems across the state are outdated and differ substantially between agency and levels of government. Upgrading the system with newer technologies will make communication more dependable when emergency responders need it most,” said Dillon.
The vast public-safety network represents the first major upgrade to many of New York’s emergency communications systems in three decades and is one of the largest high-tech projects ever attempted in the state.
“From the homeland security perspective, I applaud the efforts to provide much-needed interoperability in communications on a statewide basis. This system will allow first responders throughout New York to better communicate and work together in dealing with events ranging from routine law enforcement to natural disasters to responding to acts of terrorism,” said James McMahon, director of the Office of Public Security.
