EFJOHNSON TO UPGRADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS IN IOWA AND SAWYER COUNTIES

IRVING, Texas – September 26, 2011 – EF Johnson Technologies, Inc., one of the nation’s leading developers and manufacturers of mission critical communications technology for emergency responders, announced today that it will partner with Two-Way Communications and Pointon Communications to build P25 systems for Sawyer County (Wisconsin) and Iowa County (Wisconsin).  Both systems will leverage WISCOM (Wisconsin Interoperable System for Communication), which was developed for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and will provide mobile coverage for 95 percent of the state.

“By utilizing the statewide WISCOM backbone, Sawyer and Iowa Counties will benefit from upgraded interoperable communications systems that are designed to address their specific needs while also enjoying the significant cost savings that result from using the shared infrastructure,” said Andrew Adams, president and CEO of EFJohnson.  “We look forward to working with these counties to help them fully leverage all the capabilities these robust, flexible systems have to offer.”

The company will work with Sawyer County to build out a hybrid P25 System.  In addition, the County will utilize two WISCOM sites that are located within its boundaries to provide interoperable communications among public safety agencies.

“Sawyer County is maximizing its use of WISCOM by utilizing existing sites within our County and bridging some of our current conventional analog channels with WISCOM talkgroups,” said Brian Cody, ambulance administrator and emergency government coordinator for Sawyer County.  “By doing so, we will enhance our communications capabilities and substantially reduce our costs.”

In Iowa County, EFJohnson will build a Trunked VHF P25 System with five sites.  The system, based on the company’s innovative hybrid architecture, will include two conventional sites operating in a hybrid mode connected to WISCOM.

“Iowa County is excited to be working with EFJohnson and the State of Wisconsin to bring P25 technology to our Public Safety Communications System,” said Keith Hurlbert, director of Iowa County Emergency Management.  “We are looking forward to having a robust, dependable system that maximizes interoperability.”

Both systems will be APCO P25 compliant with non-proprietary technology to ensure interoperability.  Deployments are expected to be completed mid-year 2012.