This week, the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board (ISICSB) released a request for proposals (RFP) for industry-funded, long-term evolution public safety broadband network proof-of-concept demonstrations (LTE PSBND). These demonstrations will be used to educate public safety and elected officials at the federal, state, county, local, and tribal levels about LTE statewide public safety wireless communications systems. Proposals are due by June 19, and the state intends to award a contract that will run from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013.
Earlier this year, Iowa issued a request for an appropriation of $10 million for the construction of a system-of-systems network to connect existing public safety systems across the state over the next three years. This initial approach to statewide interoperability constitutes a step toward a preferred long-term statewide solution and future build outs. Iowa is one of a handful states that has been issued a license to build out a high-speed wireless public safety broadband network, and the state is taking active efforts to participate in federal-fund leveraging over the next year.
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