Katrina Prompts Justice Department To Update Communications Networks

[SOURCE: Government Executive, AUTHOR: Chris Strohm]
The Justice Department is moving forward with an effort to build a nationwide wireless communications system for federal law enforcement agencies, but is reviewing whether any of its requirements should be changed based on what happened to communications networks during Hurricane Katrina. The department has issued a solicitation for the Integrated Wireless Network and is moving forward as planned, a Justice Department spokeswoman said. The program will cost an estimated $2.5 billion. The department, however, is examining lessons learned from the hurricane -- which demolished or severely degraded federal, state and local communications networks as well as electricity and other public services.
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