M/A-COM Awarded Contract to Connect 13 Different Radio Systems for Denver's Emergency Responders
May 17 2005 - 12:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
M/A-COM Awarded Contract to Connect 13 Different Radio Systems for
Denver's Emergency Responders New Technology to Provide Increased
Public Safety Communications Capabilities LOWELL, Mass., May 17
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- M/A-COM, Inc., a business unit of Tyco
Electronics and a leading manufacturer of critical radio systems
deployed around the world, today announced that it was awarded a
contract to implement its NetworkFirst Interoperability Solution
for the Denver, Colorado police department. NetworkFirst, an
Internet Protocol (IP)-based network solution for public safety
communications interoperability, had been temporarily installed in
the city of Denver on a trial basis. The technology will now be
fully-implemented to tie together disparate radio systems, enabling
various Denver-area public safety agencies to communicate with each
other during crucial emergency situations. "Radio interoperability
has been the most significant issue we have faced with our
communications systems and addressing the problem has been a high
priority for our department for some time," said Dana Hansen,
superintendent of communications for the Denver Police Department.
"M/A-COM's NetworkFirst system uses advanced VoIP technology that
will enable us to connect all of the public safety agencies in our
area and handle more than 200,000 different talk groups which
officers can access at the push of a button. NetworkFirst has
already proven itself to be an effective solution during our
extensive trial implementations and we now look forward to
expanding the scope of the network to address communications
interoperability with our neighboring public safety agencies."
"Among fellow public safety officials, interoperability --
particularly as it pertains to communications -- is a critical
topic," said Chief Dan O'Hayre, Chief of Technology and Support for
the Denver Police Department. "Many in the public safety community
are convinced that it is impossible for disparate radio systems to
link. I've spent time explaining the merits of the NetworkFirst
talk path to several officials, and most have been truly amazed by
the concept. It's like introducing a lighter to people who have
spent their whole lives rubbing sticks together to build a fire.
NetworkFirst is that far of an advancement in communications
technology." During a recent NetworkFirst demonstration for area
officials, the Denver Police Department successfully used M/A-Com's
technology to demonstrate several scenarios where public safety
officials would require cross-agency communications, including
multi-jurisdictional police and fire emergencies and Amber Alert
situations. Colorado officials have experienced several major
incidents in recent years that have called for the use of on-site
interoperable communications, including the April 1999 Columbine
shootings and a major apartment fire in Glendale, Col. in December
of 2003. Both of these situations escalated into
multi-jurisdictional emergencies and the radio communication among
the various agencies on scene proved to be problematic. With these
incidents in mind, the Denver Police Department has aggressively
pursued state-of-the-art solutions to alleviate these
communications challenges, and explored several options before
determining that NetworkFirst provided the most viable and
cost-effective solution. M/A-COM's NetworkFirst Interoperability
Solution provides a fixed IP-based network solution to public
safety interoperability, allowing real-time, in- place
communications. NetworkFirst interconnects existing radio
communications systems for interoperability based on routine and
emergency needs. This capability makes NetworkFirst a powerful
weapon in meeting requirements for homeland security. "We feel
privileged to help support the Denver Police Department's efforts
to install a capable interoperability solution," said Chuck
Shaughnessy, Vice President, System Integration, M/A-COM, Inc.
"With NetworkFirst, the Denver Police Department can harness the
power of IP technology to achieve true multi-agency
interoperability while remaining cost-effective in comparison to
alternative solutions. Denver has worked diligently to provide its
citizens a safe environment that utilizes the most advanced
technology available. NetworkFirst will provide exactly that."
M/A-COM, Inc., a business unit of Tyco Electronics, is a leading
supplier of critical communications systems and equipment for
public safety, utility, federal and select commercial markets.
Products range from some of the most advanced IP-based voice and
data networks, to traditional wireless systems that offer customers
the highest levels of reliability, interoperability, scalability
and security. M/A-COM is also a recognized leader in the design and
manufacture of radio frequency (RF), microwave and millimeter wave
solutions for the commercial wireless telecommunications, aerospace
and defense industries. Headquartered in Lowell, MA, M/A-COM has
offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide. Information about
M/A-COM can be found on the Web at http://www.macom.com/ or
http://www.macom-wireless.com/. Tyco Electronics is a business
segment of Tyco International Ltd. (NYSE: TYC)(BSX:TYC). Tyco
International Ltd. is a global, diversified company that provides
vital products and services to customers in five business segments:
Fire & Security, Electronics, Healthcare, Engineered Products
& Services, and Plastics & Adhesives. With 2004 revenue of
$40 billion, Tyco employs approximately 250,000 people worldwide.
More information on Tyco can be found at http://www.tyco.com/.
DATASOURCE: M/A-COM, Inc. CONTACT: Dave Hutcheson of M/A-COM, Inc.,
+1-978-442-4047, ; or Mike Ratcliff of Tyco Electronics, +1-717-
592-2316, Web site: http://www.tyco.com/ Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/897850.html
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