Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Uses Harris Corporation Technology During G-20 Summit
BOSTON - Built with proven Harris technology, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's STARNet system allowed federal agencies and state and local police to work together using a single communications tool.
BOSTON - Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, announced its VIDA network and OpenSky technology were used successfully as the communications backbone for the recent G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh.
Built with proven Harris technology, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's STARNet system allowed federal agencies, state and local police - along with Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh and emergency medical personnel - to work together, using a single communications tool.
Charlie Brennan, deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Office of Public Safety Radio Services, said: "The G-20 Summit was the kind of event where the PA-STARNet system provided the critical ability for federal, state and local officials to communicate in order to maintain public safety. PA-STARNet is a robust statewide network and our G-20 experience demonstrated the system's tremendous capability."
The PA-STARNet system processed more than 100,000 calls during the G-20 Summit, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Public Safety Radio Services. The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Department was the largest user of the system, relying on the network to coordinate communications between police on the ground and PSP helicopters and airplanes.
"Pennsylvania's vision for integrated and interoperable public safety communications was put to the test during the G-20 Summit, which brought thousands of people to the Pittsburgh area," said Chuck Dougherty, president of Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications. "Our VIDA and OpenSky technology, which is the heart of the PA-STARNet system, met the challenge,"
Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications is a leading supplier of assured communications systems and equipment for public safety, federal, utility, commercial and transportation markets. Its products range from the most advanced IP voice and data network, to industry-leading multiband, multimode radios to public safety-grade broadband video and data solutions. With more than 80 years of experience, Harris supports more than 500 systems around the world. Harris RF Communications is also the leading global supplier of secure radio communications and embedded high-grade encryption solutions for military, government and commercial organizations.
About Harris Corporation
Harris is 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 15,000 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications(r) products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.
More Safety

IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks
New crash-avoidance ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveal inconsistent performance among commercial vehicles, with several popular cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups struggling to avoid collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
Read More →
What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap
Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.
Read More →
Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?
What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.
Read More →
Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity
Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.
Read More →
From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap
Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.
Read More →
Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset
Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.
Read More →
Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program
For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.
Read More →
How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal
Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.
Read More →
The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology
You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.
Read More →
Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks
Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness
Read More →