LOWELL, Mass., Sept. 5, 2006 - M/A-COM, Inc., a business unit of Tyco Electronics and a worldwide leader of critical radio communication systems, today announced that it has received a $10.5 million award from the city of Denver, Colorado, to improve its critical radio system by implementing a digital simulcast radio communications system to its already existing single-site Enhanced Digital Access Communications System (EDACS). By upgrading its EDACS system, Denver’s public safety radio users, including police, fire and emergency medical services will have reliable radio communications within architectural structures throughout the metropolitan area. In addition, M/A-COM was awarded a $14.5 million contract, over three years, to provide replacement parts and additional mobile and portable radios as needed, ensuring the swift procurement of critical radio components for first responders in the Denver metropolitan area.
“By expanding our current EDACS communications system, we are giving our police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel the communication tools they need to respond to emergencies faster, safer and smarter,” said Dana Hansen, manager, Wireless Systems; City and County of Denver. “Using this new simulcast system in conjunction with our already installed M/A-COM NetworkFirst interoperability system, and our M/A-COM data system, we are helping to ensure that our comprehensive plan for reliable interoperable communications is in place for the foreseeable future.”
In addition to providing reliable interoperable communications, M/A-COM’s critical radio system will greatly improve in-building coverage for portable radio users in Denver, a common problem when attempting to communicate inside high-density buildings found in urban areas. In-building coverage is becoming a necessity for public safety radio users and by implementing M/A-COM’s digital simulcast radio system, Denver officials will have the resources needed to successfully communicate throughout various structures during emergency situations.
Along with its expanded capabilities within Denver, the City’s new six-site, digital simulcast system will interface through M/A-COM’s NetworkFirst system, an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network that links together disparate radio system types, on the Colorado Statewide Digital Trunked Radio system, enabling public safety officials to communicate with each other, regardless of radio type, frequency or mode.
“Denver has consistently been on the cutting edge of radio communications technology for its network of public safety users,” said Sanford Lugger, area sales manager, M/A-COM. “The introduction of M/A-COM’s digital simulcast system only further advances Denver’s first response capabilities by giving users the technology they can rely on for day-to-day communications and during critical situations when stable in-building coverage is vital.”
