L3Harris Awarded $93 Million Contract to Improve MBTA Public Safety Communications

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) announced today a five-year, $93 million contract to improve Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority public safety communications. 

The contract calls for L3Harris to replace MBTA’s current network with a new system built to Association of Public Safety Communications Officials Project 25 standards. The upgraded network will provide access for more MBTA operators, including MBTA police, increase the reliability and security of the network and help speed response times. 

“As a trusted radio system support provider of the MBTA for more than 20 years, we understand the importance of public safety for the Boston Metro Area and what a new network supporting more-immediate collaboration between agencies means for the safety of all passengers,” said Nino DiCosmo, president, Public Safety and Professional Communications, L3Harris. “As public safety communications evolve digitally, our P25 standards-compliant solutions – already in use by transit authorities in Dallas, Miami and San Francisco – will add robust cybersecurity and seamless interoperability to help first responders protect their communities.”
 

L3Harris designed MBTA’s legacy communications system in 2001. Migration to the new P25 solution brings MBTA communications into the 21stcentury by improving radio quality and continuity of communications, and ensuring the safety of MBTA operations and maintenance personnel. The system will provide the foundation for the next generation of technology advancements with flexible architectures to seamless integrate new capabilities as needed.

In 2002, APCO and associated public safety organizations defined Project 25 standards for mobile radio push-to-talk operations to speed first-responder response and improve collaboration in the event of a disaster. The P25 standard calls for adopting standards for interoperable, digital two-way radio products, adding the ability to transfer data as well as voice and providing flexible architectures to incorporate features such as text messaging and encryption.