Harris builds new radio communications for N.Y. county

Harris Corp. will upgrade public safety communications for Ontario County, N.Y., under a $9 million contract.

Harris’ Project 25 to the power of IP solution, or P25IP, is a new standards-based, digital system that will provide mission-critical interoperable communications to approximately 2,500 firefighters, police officers, emergency medical services professionals and sheriff's deputies across the 662-square-mile upstate area near Lake Ontario and Rochester, N.Y., the company said today in a statement.

The 15-site system is also designed to seamlessly interoperate with neighboring jurisdictions, creating a regional capability supported by Harris' robust voice and data solutions, the company said.

For enhanced interoperability communications, Ontario County's new system includes Harris' Unity XG-100P portable, full-spectrum multiband radio and noise-suppression technology.

The system meets the Federal Communications Commission’s narrowband mandate to eliminate the county's current wideband transmissions by Jan. 1, 2013.

Harris' Voice, Interoperability, Data and Access (VIDA) network, including the P25IP trunked system, will replace the county’s existing analog infrastructure with digital audio quality. The new system will provide the county with clearer communications, enhanced coverage and regional interoperability.

Because of the VIDA network’s power, other counties or agencies can connect directly or via gateways to the network as requirements determine, the Harris announcement said.

Harris, of Melbourne, Fla., ranks No. 13 on Washington Technology’s 2010 Top 100 list of the largest federal government contractors.