Dec 18, 2008 10:17 AM, By Donny Jackson

A governing body overseeing the build-out of New York’s statewide wireless network (SWN) yesterday took no action regarding the future of the massive project being built by Tyco Electronics M/A-COM.

After issuing a letter of default to M/A-COM that cited 19 deficiencies in the first phase of the network—covering the areas of Erie and Chautauqua counties—the company said it addressed the deficiencies that applied to the contract. From Nov. 6 to Nov. 21, the state conducted an internal systems integration test, but the state is not ready to release the results yet, New York CIO Melodie Mayberry-Stewart said via webcast prior to the SWN Advisory Council’s closed executive session.

“We’re still evaluating the results of these tests and, as of this date, we have drawn no final conclusion regarding a decision on the future of SWN,” Mayberry-Stewart said.

Under the state’s original timetable, the systems integration test would have been completed on Nov. 18. In addition, the evaluation of the test was supposed to be completed in time for an operational test—involving public-safety users—to be conducted beginning on Dec. 3. The operational test will be conducted only if the state is satisfied with the results of the systems integration test, according to state sources.

Given the lengthier evaluation period, any operational testing would be done in 2009, according to sources close to the project.

For Tyco Electronics M/A-COM, the outcome of the tests is critical. If the state does not accept the first phase of the SWN network, it has the right to nix the $2 billion contract and not pay Tyco Electronics M/A-COM, which already has spent more than $50 million on the project and has secured a $100 million performance bond.

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