U.S., Mexico Sign Telecomm Agreement

Public safety and law enforcement organizations in Mexico and the U.S. will soon be able to communicate across the border.

The departments of Homeland Security and State announced Wednesday that senior officials on the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Consultative Commission on Telecommunications signed a bilateral telecommunications agreement to support a cross border communications network that will provide cross-border voice, data and video channels to strengthen border security and incident response.

According to a press release from DHS, the agreement also provides radio interference protection for the network's infrastructure. Qualifying federal, state, local and tribal public safety and law enforcement organizations will be invited to participate in the network.

The agreement stems from a recommendation by HLCC officials in May 2008 to develop a long-term plan for critical cross border communications networks that improve border security, according to the release.