History will be made next month in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia when a microwave wireless network becomes operational. It's been three years in the making.
This is the first public safety network in the region that will enable local and federal agencies to converse in the event of a disaster or major incident that involves multi-level jurisdictions, said Arthur Collins, executive director of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
The commission, comprised of 45 officials from 16 communities that make up the Hampton Roads region, used federal grant money to have the system designed and built.
Microwave towers scattered throughout the area carry the wireless transmissions. Eventually, Collins said state agencies also may be on line as well in the near future.
For security reasons, he would not disclose the locations of the towers, only saying that they were strategically placed for the best service. The communications system came with a three year warranty. However, Collins said maintaining it will be a costly endeavor.
The enhancement in Hampton Roads is just one communications project underway in Virginia.
In this high-tech age, it
