Marietta, Georgia Selects Tyco Electronics' M/A-COM VIDA Broadband Network To Aid Crime Prevention And Surveillance

LOWELL, Mass. - April 21, 2008 - Tyco Electronics' M/A-COM business, a worldwide leader of critical radio communications systems, announced today that the City of Marietta, Georgia has completed the initial integration of the M/A-COM VIDA (Voice, Interoperability, Data and Access) Broadband network into the city's information technology system. The wireless broadband technology will enable Marietta's public safety agencies and the Board of Lights and Water (BLW) to monitor video traffic at remote city locations via WiMAX technology to assist with crime prevention and surveillance. Using digital video technologies on the wireless network, representatives of the BLW and the Marietta Police Department can access real-time video feeds using viewing software installed on authorized computers located anywhere on the city's existing wide area network.

"The M/A-COM VIDA Broadband network will enable the city to take the next step in the further development of our network capabilities by extending wireless communications with features such as quality of service (QoS) and encryption. While we already had widespread wire line connectivity to most city buildings, the new wireless network will allow the city to extend that network to remote locations such as water tanks, pump stations, radio towers and other remote locations," said Rich Tieslau, City of Marietta information technology director. "We anticipate that in the future, the wireless network will provide advanced broadband capabilities to other city-owned locations throughout Marietta."

Because the M/A-COM VIDA Broadband network uses 4.9 GHz licensed frequencies, which are only available to city, county and state agencies, Marietta does not have to contend with interference from other, non-licensed broadband technologies. "The M/A-COM VIDA Broadband system can be used for mission-critical communications because it does not share spectrum with laptops, coffee shops and cordless telephones," said Greg Henderson, director, Broadband Products and Technology, Tyco Electronics. "With VIDA Broadband, the city can prioritize subscribers and even types of transmissions. While public safety agencies previously thought of mission-critical communications as only voice transmissions, the VIDA Broadband network is designed to transmit the next generation of services, including data and video, during emergency mission-critical response efforts."

M/A-COM VIDA Broadband networks are based on 802.16 (or WiMAX) technologies and were developed exclusively for the needs of governmental organizations and agencies. These networks can be deployed in simple configurations to address a specific need, or be scaled to city-wide or larger installations. VIDA Broadband can also be seamlessly integrated into the entire suite of Tyco Electronics' M/A-COM IP-based mission-critical radio networks.

The M/A-COM VIDA network platform is a cost-effective, IP-based interoperable radio communications technology that supports P25 and other IP-based systems. It addresses voice and data communications needs of public safety radio users around the world. VIDA provides a full IP management platform including interoperability without intervention of console operators, IP consoles, networking technology for both the P25 phase I and P25 phase II standards, plus many other benefits inherent in open IP architecture systems.

Tyco Electronics' M/A-COM business is a leading supplier of critical communications systems and equipment for public safety, utility, federal and select commercial markets. M/A-COM products range from some of the most advanced IP-based voice and data networks, to traditional wireless systems that offer customers the highest levels of reliability, interoperability, scalability and security. Tyco Electronics is also a recognized leader in the design and manufacture of M/A-COM radio frequency (RF), microwave and millimeter wave solutions for the commercial wireless telecommunications, aerospace and defense industries. More information about M/A-COM solutions can be found on the Web at www.macom.com or www.macom-wireless.com.

Product Communications: Dave Hutcheson
434-455-9628
hutchesd@tycoelectronics.com

For sales information, please contact:
M/A-COM, Inc.
1011 Pawtucket Blvd.
Lowell, MA 01853
United States - 1.800.368.3277
Canada - 1.800.368.3277
Middle East/Africa -- +1.434.455.9229
Asia/Pacific -- +1.434.455.9223
Europe -- +1.434.455.9544
Latin America -- +1.434.455.9217

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