Pennsylvania Finalizes Contract With M/A-COM'sOpenSky for Statewide Public Communications Safety...

LOWELL, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 2, 1999--

M/A-COM, Inc and AMP Incorporated (wholly owned subsidiaries of Tyco International Ltd. NYSE:TYC) today announced that a contract has been signed and finalized to deploy M/A-COM's OpenSky(TM) Wireless IP (Internet Protocol) Network for the

Pennsylvania's intent is to deploy a state-of-the-art digital radio system. "No other state has a comprehensive statewide public safety radio system to rival this new network," said Thomas G. Paese, Pennsylvania's Secretary of Administration. "The digital technology employed in this radio network offers improved public safety communications, and we think it represents a new model that other states will want to copy."

The contract, with a funded value of $95 Million over the next 18 months, calls for M/A-COM to supply infrastructure equipment for a new, digital voice and data radio communications network for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The statewide radio system, which will employ OpenSky Wireless Internet Protocol (IP) network technology, will be a thoroughly modern system. The network infrastructure will be comprised of several hundred base stations along with regional control centers and network control centers. The statewide system is slated for final completion in 2001.

The base stations, which provide a voice and data interface between mobile or portable radios and dispatch centers, are the backbone of a radio system which will provide the capability of tying statewide agencies and others into a single network. At the state level users will run the gamut from public safety to environmental protection to transportation. Other potential users include local law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service providers.

"We've targeted four major market segments for OpenSky technology: public safety, transportation, utilities and private mobile fleet management," said Dennis Martinez, Director of Wireless Systems at M/A-COM. "The Pennsylvania system will serve as a template for a next generation of state and local communications systems." Martinez credits Pennsylvania's progressive leadership in upgrading its radio infrastructure with the innovative OpenSky technology. "Although this type of system has already been implemented for large fleet management and transportation applications, Pennsylvania will have the first statewide, multi-agency, fully digital voice and data communications system in the country."

M/A-COM's OpenSky

M/A-COM's OpenSky is a suite of products implementing an integrated digital voice and data system based on the Internet Protocol (IP). Thus, IP applications or devices can easily access the OpenSky network, bringing the greatest connectivity of any public safety network today. OpenSky is digital, but provides interoperability with analog radios, making it possible to cost-effectively plan radio upgrades or preserve the equipment of volunteer public safety units. They all work with the OpenSky network.

OpenSky's IP Backbone carries all voice messages in a compressed and encrypted format. It is end-to-end encrypted over the air and over the backbone.

OpenSky uses Voice over IP (VoIP) and compression technology to provide five times the voice capacity of a typical circuit-switched network. This means more available network capacity when it is needed during critical emergency situations.

OpenSky's network technology creates scalable configurations. Because it is an IP network, base stations can be added or subtracted as usage dictates, without unnecessary equipment to regulate traffic to the base stations. This translates to cost effective network expansion.

Most importantly, OpenSky provides connection to the network exactly when public safety officials need it, and exactly where they need it. OpenSky's Vehicular Repeater brings network connectivity to the most remote areas. It brings the network to the user, providing continuous portable voice and data coverage.

OpenSky is at work today delivering results in both national and regional networks supporting private and public voice/data network communications requirements.

About M/A-COM

M/A-COM, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tyco International Ltd., headquartered in Lowell, MA, is a leading supplier of radio frequency (RF), microwave and millimeter wave semiconductors, components and IP Networks to the wireless telecommunications and defense-related industries. M/A-COM's products include semiconductor devices, RF integrated circuits, passive and control devices, antennas, subsystems and systems. Employing more than 2,800 people, M/A-COM has offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide.

About AMP Incorporated

An established worldwide leader in communications components and cabling products, AMP Incorporated, a Tyco International Ltd. Company, provides a comprehensive range of product and service offerings that include the design, manufacture, installation, and support of complete premises cabling and LAN interconnect systems solutions. Building on core competencies in the design and manufacture of open cabling systems based on fiber optic, as well as traditional copper twisted pair technologies, AMP provides customers with single source solutions based on industry standards. AMP is headquartered in Harrisburg, PA.

About Tyco International

Tyco International Ltd., a diversified manufacturing and service company, is the world's largest manufacturer, installer, and provider of fire protection systems and electronic security services, the largest manufacturer and servicer of electrical and electronic components and underwater telecommunications systems, the largest manufacturer of flow control valves, and has strong leadership positions in disposable medical products and plastics and adhesives. The Company operates in more than 80 countries around the world.

OpenSky(TM) is a trademark of the M/A-COM unit of AMP Incorporated, a TYCO International Ltd. Company.