Mississippi Wireless Information Network to Utilize 700 MHz Dedicated Public Safety Network

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour announced today the State of Mississippi and Motorola, Inc. have signed a contract for the development and deployment of a statewide interoperable emergency communications voice and radio network.

For use by state and public safety agencies in emergencies such as natural disasters, the new mission-critical voice and data system will provide seamless interoperable emergency communications coverage throughout the state. It is known as the Mississippi Wireless Information Network (MSWIN) and will utilize the robust 700 MHz dedicated public safety network.

"This agreement begins the rollout of a critically important new asset as we work to serve Mississippians and help save lives in times of emergencies," Barbour said. "Hurricane Katrina demonstrated it is imperative that government agencies have survivable interoperability -- the ability to seamlessly communicate with each other -- and this statewide, uniform wireless system will both expedite and support interagency communications.
 
"With a simple turn of the radio knob, a Mississippi Emergency Management Agency official could talk to the Harrison County Emergency Operations Center, the Hinds County Sherriff's Office or Tupelo Police Department," Barbour said. "Reliable communications mean a quicker response time, which will help save lives and deliver time-sensitive information during a crisis."

To assist the Mississippi Gulf Coast area during the current hurricane season, Motorola is immediately shipping three rapid deployable Sites on Wheels (SOWS) that will serve as an interim communication system while the permanent facilities are under construction.

The interim SOWS are expected to be operable in August. Motorola's Rapid Deployment and Response plan also includes the shipment of thousands of Motorola radios within 24 hours of a disaster, as well as the dispatch of tower crews overnight when needed to assist in an emergency.

In addition to leveraging existing public and private communication infrastructure across the state, another benefit of MSWIN is that the Mississippi system will also be interoperable with public safety communications systems in several neighboring states, including Louisiana, Arkansas, Shelby County (Memphis) in Tennessee and Jefferson County (Birmingham) in Alabama.

"We felt it was extremely important that we have reliable, redundant communications available during most of this hurricane season, and our Gulf Coast residents should know that first responders will be able to communicate should a disaster occur," said Mississippi Public Safety Commissioner George Phillips, chairman of MWCC, the agency in charge of the public safety project.

Motorola will design and implement MSWIN in a three-phase timeline, using the Mississippi Highway Patrol districts as guidelines. Phase I will include the Southern Region of the state, and use MHP Districts 7, 8 and 9. Phase II will include the Central Region (MHSP Districts 1, 5 and 6) and Phase III the Northern Region (MHP Districts 2, 3 and 4). When completed, the network will include 135 radio tower sites statewide.