Otsego County Telecommunications System To Get Upgrades

By Sandi Collins (Townsquare Media News)

State Senator James Seward and Assemblyman Bill Magee announced Wednesday a pair of grants totaling $1 million to help fund a major upgrade to Otsego County’s telecommunications system.   Senator Seward and Assemblyman Magee are each providing $500,000 in capital funding through the State and Municipal Facilities Program.

Otsego County is in the midst of implementing a 12 site communications network.  As part of the system upgrade all of the existing communications sites have been rebuilt and additional sites added to increase coverage.  In addition, new primary and backup dispatch centers have also been developed.

Otsego County is now in the last stages of the site upgrades with three critical sites and associated public safety grade microwave connectivity remaining to be developed. Once complete, the network will provide inter-county connectivity with adjacent counties and contribute to the New York State goal of creating interconnectivity throughout the state.

Photo attached, suggested caption:  Senator James L. Seward and Assemblyman Bill Magee announce $1 million in state funding to help fund a major upgrade to Otsego County’s telecommunications system.   From left, Assemblyman Magee, Senator Seward, Otsego County Board of Representatives Chairman Kathy Clark, and Otsego County Director of E-911 Communications Robert O’Brien.