DALLAS-Alcatel Corp. signed a subcontract with M/A-COM Inc. to equip the state of New York with a wireless public safety communications network that Alcatel said will enhance interoperability among first responders. M/A-Com, a division of Tyco International Ltd., said in late September that its 20-year contract with the state was worth about $2 billion.
Alcatel said the subcontract agreement calls for M/A-COM to act as the “prime”for the state-funded, statewide wireless network, which is expected to enable faster emergency response and increased public safety. Alcatel added that the network will use low-profile tower sites and is expected to connect 65,000 state and local government users once it is fully operational in about five years.
“The state of New York will now have the most advanced public-safety communications network of its kind, ensuring reliable and secure communications among the various state agencies,” said John Vaughan, vice president and general manager, M/A-COM Wireless Systems.
Alcatel said the network will feature its microwave digital radio system and cross-connects for backhaul transmission at more than 300 sites in the state. The company explained that its MDR-8000 microwave digital radio provides point-to-point wireless communications links, while its 1630 GSX cross-connect streamlines narrowband and wideband capabilities into a single platform. In all, Alcatel said this combination simplifies operation and maintenance requirements, offers robust bandwidth and security, and ensures consistent portable and mobile communications among essential personnel.
“Deploying public-safety communications networks has become an important priority for Alcatel,” said Hubert de Pesquidoux, president of Alcatel’s North American activities.
Terms of the agreement between Alcatel and M/A-COM were not disclosed.
In other M/A-COM news, the company announced a new contract with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to provide voice and data communications for the city’s mobile work force. The M/A-COM network will replace Sacramento’s legacy analog network.
“We are pleased that our OpenSky solution has been selected to address SMUD’s wireless communications challenges to replace its older 900 MHz analog system,” said Tom Hoyne, director of Utility Markets at M/A-COM. “The efficiency of OpenSky’s TDMA technology on the existing narrowband channels provided the necessary flexibility and capacity SMUD requires for both today and tomorrow.”
SMUD is a community-owned electric utility that generates, transmits and distributes electric power to a 900-square-mile service area in California, including more then 550,000 customers throughout the City of Sacramento, Sacramento County and portions of Placer County.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
