Government issues draft specs for massive wireless net

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The government has released a detailed description of its plan for the multibillion-dollar Integrated Wireless Network and is asking vendors for comments. The network is an effort of the Homeland Security, Justice and Treasury departments to build a wireless voice and data communications network for law enforcement users.

The government has released a detailed description of its plan for the multibillion-dollar Integrated Wireless Network and is asking industry for comments.

IWN is an effort of the Homeland Security, Justice and Treasury departments to build a wireless voice and data communications network for law enforcement users.

The IWN program office will accept comments until Nov. 1 on the draft solicitation.

The three departments have set a floor of $50 million for the system and a ceiling of $10 billion.

The request for comments said the three departments want to replace the existing patchwork of radio systems with an advanced integrated system that can handle data and provide interoperable communications.

The draft said the program office might choose more than one vendor for the task. Several teams already have formed to bid on the project.

The program office said it is still on schedule to award a contract next year.