In a recent keynote address Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff asserted inter-operable communications would be in place in UASI cities by the end of 2007.

So what are our major goals over the next year or two? First, we are determined to ensure that the Urban Area Security Initiative cities, the major cities, have inter-operable communications in effect by the end of this coming year, and that all states have inter-operable communications in effect by the end of 2008.

Read the complete keynote speach on the DHS website .

Emergency communications interoperability at DHS questioned

Some people, including incoming House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), may feel that Secretary Chertoff's deadline is unrealistic. Thompson states in a letter to Chertoff that his goal:

...demonstrates a misunderstanding of the challenges and scope of achieving interoperability among federal, state and local levels of government. The reality is that interoperable communications systems will require a complicated and expensive process that cannot be executed without real knowledge, leadership and funding on the federal level.

Read the entire story on the Computerworld website .