Statewide Wireless Network

WIRELESS NETWORK COMES WITH BIG PRICE TAG:

Local governments in New York state could be hit with a big bill for the equipment they will need to access the Statewide Wireless Network, the state comptroller's office reported Wednesday.

The $2 billion network is being established to improve communications among public safety entities around the state.

Under an agreement between the Pataki administration and M/A-COM, the vendor developing the network's infrastructure, all of the equipment to access the network will have to be bought from M/A-COM.

Hevesi said his office has determined the cost of the equipment to local governments will cost $530 million -- or several times higher than previous estimates. That price includes $330 million in financing costs for the equipment.

Hevesi projected the state's cost for equipment to access the network to be $260 million, including $160 million in financing costs.
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Hevesi also released an audit Wednesday in which he said his office found irregularities in contracts between M/A-COM and three state agencies: State police, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Correctional Services. The company appeared to be continuing to receive fees in some cases from the agencies even after equipment had been fully purchased.