Exclusive | California 911 network contractors break silence after state scraps nearly $500M project

The companies hired to replace California’s “vulnerable” 911 network with a new cutting-edge system claim the state abruptly abandoned a fully built, deployment-ready system and replaced it with a new plan they say could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions more.The state, which has already spent nearly $500 million building a regional Next Generation 911 (NGA 911) network, decided to pull the plug and leave the majority of its emergency call centers on a decades-old analog system while it pursues a new statewide design.“It doesn’t make sense to anyone other than that little bubble they have in Sacramento,” said CEO of NGA 911 Don Ferguson, one of the companies contracted to build the new system. The Post spoke exclusively with two of the companies contracted to build the internet-based digital system who argue the “core was 100% deployed” and ”ready to go” before it was scrapped.The system would have allowed 911 call centers to receive voice calls, text messages, videos and location data to streamline and enhance emergency responses.California’s state legislature chose to go digital in 2019 using four separate service providers — NGA 911, Synergem, Lumen, and Atos — to replace the analog system that essentially only carries phone calls, provides basic location information, and has a single point of failure.Each company was given a region in the Golden State to build out the new system, while Atos served as the statewide backup network.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Never miss a story The state spent years — and $457 million in taxpayer dollars — building a system intended to connect the 447 emergency dispatch centers across California.The backbone of the network was built, according to NGA 911, and like Synergem they were actively ...