Company hawks communications technology to state

Representatives from a wireless communications company rolled into Carson City in a 45-foot custom bus to demonstrate an "interoperable communications network" to the Nevada Department of Transportation.

M/A-Com Inc. is traveling through 25 states during its "Interop 2003 Tour" to show off NetworkFirst -- which it touts as a "network-based solution for public safety communications interoperability."

The system uses Internet Protocol technology to enable communication between groups using different radio types, frequencies and modes.

"Probably the No. 1 goal for every communications director in the United States is to have interoperable communications for homeland security," said Kyle Connors, NetworkFirst systems engineer and M/A-Com, Inc. spokesman. "And this, I believe, is the solution."

The issue of interoperability is significant, said Rich Sheldrew, NDOT communications director.

"I think it's very important," he said. "There is certainly a need to address interoperability between agencies."

He said recent terror attacks have intensified the urgent need for all state agencies to communicate.

"A lot of this is stemming from homeland security after 9/11," he said.

Nevada's emergency crews are already about 80 percent interoperable because they all use the 800 megaherz band of frequencies.

"But we still need to work on the other 20 percent," said Sheldrew.

He said the technology offered by M/A-Com, Inc. could work to make the state 100 percent interoperable, but he's not ready to push for a purchase just yet.

"I'm not going to make a recommendation until I see which way the state wants to go," he said.

M/A-Com, Inc., which also develops and manufactures radio frequency and microwave semiconductors, components and IP Networks for defense-related industries, hopes to sell its technology to the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Nevada is the 22nd state to be visited by the M/A-Com, Inc. bus, which is equipped with three 42-inch plasma TVs for demonstrations, a 128K Internet connection and DirectTV.

Connors says the business has seen a lot of interest in its NetworkFirst technology.

"Almost every state has asked for a statewide bid," he said. "It's absolutely great technology, and people are realizing this."

Connors said the technology would cost Rhode Island about $2.5 million to purchase and install, and Texas about $65 million. He guessed Nevada would be somewhere in the middle.

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M/A-Com, Inc.: http://www.macom.com/