State of Florida, Harris Corp. enter into $700 million contract for secure, state-wide communications network

The state of Florida recently entered into a $700 million contract with Harris Corporation to develop a statewide communications network to connect public safety responders, law enforcement, public schools and other government agencies.

The contract lasts seven years with seven one-year options for continuance.

The system, MyFloridaNet-2 (MFN-2), will link more than 4,000 sites with approximately 4,700 connections using the Harris Trusted Enterprise Network, a secure, statewide communications platform that is operated by Harris from its centralized operations location in Melbourne, Florida.

“By implementing this state-wide communications infrastructure, Florida’s state and local agencies will be connected so they can work together seamlessly and efficiently, whether in emergency situations or conducting routine business,” Carl D’Alessandro, president of Harris Critical Networks, said. “Harris is a Florida-based company with a vested interest here, and our mission critical network services will support the safety and economic growth of our State while generating cost savings over the life of the program.”

The Harris network supports the transmission of voice, data and video and will support other telecommunications services like internet connection, email, and web browsing from public schools and local libraries.

Contributing companies on the project include FPL FiberNet, CenturyLink, Level 3 Communications, Southern Light and Verizon.