Harris Awarded $289 Million (CAD) Contract by the Government of Alberta, Canada, for the Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System (AFRRCS)

EDMONTON, Alberta, March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Highlights:

• One of North America's largest P25 trunked systems will improve the reliability and reach of Province-wide first responder communications over a single, unified network.
• Harris solution will link 400 radio repeater and network sites within a geographic area of 256,000 square miles (661,190 square kilometers).
• Company will team with local subcontractors to build and deploy the system, and will add personnel to its Edmonton and Calgary offices.

Harris Canada Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS), has been awarded a $289 million (CAD) contract by the Government of Alberta, Canada to design and build the Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System (AFRRCS), which will provide public safety communications within the Province's 256,000 square-mile area (661,190 square-kilometer area). The overall project is expected to cost $370 million (CAD).

Harris will create a province-wide P25 (Project 25) 700 MHz trunked network that replaces two aging legacy radio networks.  The system will enable interoperability and serve as a critical communications link among Alberta's first responders, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Government of Alberta (GoA) Ministries.

The contract includes both standards-based network infrastructure and radio terminals, including Harris P7300 portable and M7300 mobile radios, which would be acquired by agencies as their needs and preferences determine. The Harris 700 MHz P25 system will extend across more than 400 available radio repeater and network sites, and will include redundant Network Switching Centers and a high-availability backhaul network that will leverage Alberta's SuperNet as the core network.  In addition, the system will include a VHF P25 overlay with sites located in certain mountainous and rural areas to provide expanded coverage reliability in these remote locations.

"The Harris P25 solution and the continued support from the stakeholder community will improve the safety and security of Alberta's first responders, and the safety of all Albertans," said Frank Oberle, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security, Province of Alberta.  "This is a significant milestone for everyone involved."

"Harris designed the AFRRCS system to meet the distinct requirements of Alberta's first responders who operate across the Province's vast and varied terrain," said Steve Marschilok, president, Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications.  "Our Harris P25 700 MHz trunked solution and radios will bring public safety-grade radio coverage plus the interoperability needed for rural, urban and neighboring agencies to connect.  We are looking forward to working closely with Alberta as we build and support the AFRRCS system."

The Harris team for the AFRRCS project includes local Alberta experts and Canadian providers such as Ledcor (LTS), Modus, Axia, and other local companies.  Harris also will add to its own presence in Alberta at both its Calgary and Edmonton offices.

Harris has had a presence in Canada since 1964 with twelve locations in four provinces – Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec – and more than 600 employees.  The company's operations serve customers spanning the Defense, Law Enforcement, Municipal, Energy, Broadcast, Sports, Specialty Media, Satellite, Cable and Telco markets.

In public safety and professional communications, Harris is a leading supplier of assured communications® systems and equipment for public safety, federal, utility, commercial and transportation markets — with products ranging from the most advanced IP voice and data networks, to industry leading multiband, multimode radios, to public safety-grade broadband video and data solutions.  Harris has more than 80 years of experience in public safety and professional communications and supports over 500 systems around the world.  

About Harris Corporation

Harris Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries.  Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists.  Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.  Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions.  Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Statements about the expected value of the program to Harris are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties.  Other factors that may impact the company's results and forward-looking statement may be disclosed in the company's filings with the SEC.  Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Harris Corporation