RICHARDSON, TX -- NexGen CityTM, L.P., maker of mobile, high-speed wireless communications infrastructures and applications, today announced that its NexNetTM system was selected by Lockheed Martin for the City of Garland, Texas for its first responders' mobile data communications network. This upgrade will replace the current cellular-based CDPD technology and will provide full coverage over 57 square miles. Lockheed Martin Space Operations Division was awarded the contract in September 2003 and has partnered with NexGen City as the project's system integrator. The project is the first and geographically largest deployment of mobile mesh networking technology for use by a public safety organization. System implementation is well underway and is scheduled for completion during the second quarter of 2004.
The City of Garland elected to deploy the NexGen City solution after the company's successful completion of the project's test phase across a five-square-mile area along Highway 190 during 2003. Units deployed in the field using two vehicles traveling more than 60 mph in opposite directions successfully demonstrated real-time streaming video, voice over IP calls, and data throughput rates of up to 1.5 Mbps. The contract calls for data communications implementation initially. Voice and streaming video capabilities will be added in the future, if required.
"We awarded this contract to Lockheed Martin and NexGen City for three compelling reasons," said Darrell McClanahan, Telecommunications Manager for the City of Garland. "First and foremost, NexGen City's NexNetTM solution makes high-speed data communications a reality for our city's first responders - police officers, firefighters, and medical emergency teams - who serve Garland's 221,000 residents. Being able to send and receive data reliably and up to 50 times faster than before, while in transit, will have an enormous impact on how our first responders manage a crisis and solve our city's daily public safety challenges.
"Second," McClanahan continued, "the NexNetTM network is cost-effective and saves taxpayers money. While improving our public safety data communications capabilities, we eliminate expensive towers, subscriber fees, and zoning issue headaches associated with our old system. And, third," added McClanahan, "the system is flexible and scalable. We have the ability to add voice and streaming video capabilities in the future, all running over the same network."
"We're delighted to be working with Lockheed Martin on this major project for the City of Garland," said Richard Dwelle, NexGen City's President. "The opportunity is an ideal match for our company's expertise in wireless broadband communications and our specific focus on public safety solutions for cities' first responders."
Lockheed Martin Corp.
NexGen City