Contact: Bill Esbeck, WSTA Executive Director
608-469-7171
bill.esbeck@wsta.info
Madison, WI – Wisconsin’s premier telecommunications industry association recently recognized Representative Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) for her leadership, tenacity and partnership to modernize our state’s 911 infrastructure. Rep. Felzkowski received the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association Excellence in Legislative Leadership Award at the 2017 WSTA Fall Conference.
“Representative Felzkowski’s leadership and partnership during the last two budget cycles demonstrated her commitment to both public safety and good public policy,” said Bill Esbeck, WSTA executive director. “Modernizing our state’s obsolete 911 network infrastructure has been a priority for WSTA since the 2009-
2011 Biennial Budget. Wisconsin can now start the transition from our outdated analog 911 network to a Next Generation 911 (NG911) network.”
Rep. Felzkowski’s tenacity resulted in a successful 2017-2019 Biennial Budget amendment requiring Wisconsin to solicit bids for the creation, operation and maintenance of an Emergency Services Internet Protocol network (ESInet). The statewide ESInet replaces Wisconsin’s outdated analog 911 network with an all-digital, fiber network. When fully operational, the NG911 ESInet will transmit voice calls, text messages, pictures and videos. Rep. Felzkowski’s cost-conscious budget amendment also requires the creation of the
ESInet to rely on existing infrastructure to the greatest extent feasible.
“I am honored to receive this award from the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association,” said Rep. Felzkowski. “It was a pleasure coordinating with them during the budget process on the Next Generation 911 initiative, and I look forward to working with them again in the future.”
