The contract amount is valued at approximately $2 billion over 20 years, making it the largest statewide public safety communications project to be awarded in the United States. M/A-COM was awarded the contract after a thorough review process. It will link emergency services across the city and ensure an end to the confusion of communication that was a hallmark of 9/11. The company’s solution, based on its VIDA (Voice, Interoperability, Data and Access) network platform, was determined to provide the high level of reliability, coverage, flexibility and cost-effectiveness that the State requires. “M/A-COM and our team of partners are honored to supply the First Responders, multiple public safety professionals and residents of New York State with the most advanced communications system available,” said John Vaughan, vice president and general manager, M/A-COM Wireless Systems. “Team M/A-COM’s solution for New York State will change the face of critical communications and will ensure that the State is well-equipped to face the public safety communications challenges of today and tomorrow — including the critical requirement for communications interoperability.” The New York State system will be based on M/A-COM’s VIDA network platform, a “system of systems” approach built on a unified Internet Protocol (IP) architecture. New York joins Florida and Pennsylvania in adopting radio systems based on M/A-COM’s proven technology. Because VIDA is a network, many of the barriers between an organization’s fixed and mobile environments can now be removed when required — while retaining their independence and security. VIDA enables New York State to select the most efficient and cost- effective radio system for its needs, and will utilize M/A-COM’s OpenSky, P25IP and NetworkFirst solutions. OpenSky provides 700/800 MHz integrated voice and data, four times the capacity per frequency, and in-building coverage through the use of mobile systems. P25IP provides coverage for New York’s more terrain challenged areas using VHF overlays. Finally, NetworkFirst — recently designated a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology under the Department of Homeland Security’s SAFETY Act — connects all legacy systems through its IP network architecture. In addition to technology and cost, other factors weighed in New York State’s decision to utilize M/A-COM and its partners included the lower environmental impact of M/A-COM’s solution, which includes low profile antenna structures that are also significantly less expensive than traditional towers. M/A-COM, together with subcontracting partners that include General Dynamics and Alcatel USA, will be implementing the integrated statewide wireless radio network to provide a common communications platform for all State public safety and public service agencies. There are multiple regions to be deployed across the State, with plans for the total project to be completed within 58 months. As many as 65,000 state and local government users are expected to access the new system. “The awarding of the Statewide Wireless Network contract to M/A-COM and its team of partners is the culmination of a multi-year effort to ensure our State’s public safety officials have access to the most reliable and effective communications necessary to protect themselves and our citizens,” said James T. Dillon, New York State Chief Information Officer. “During a disaster, or in day-to-day emergency conditions, interoperable communications is vital for first responders. A common communications platform will enhance interoperability for state and local public safety agencies, improve communication and collaboration during emergency response, and bolster our homeland security efforts.” Michael McCormack, Director of the New York State Office for Technology said, “We look forward to working with M/A-COM on the design and construction of this critical communication network. With the expertise M/A-COM brings to the project, and working closely with our state and local partners, I am sure New York will have a world class emergency radio network for our first responders.”