Background:

Background: 1. The Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission (WCC) is implementing a statewide survivable, reliable, interoperable wireless communication system known as the Mississippi Wireless Information Network (MSWIN). 2. The MSWIN is equipped with over-the-air rekeying (OTAR) capabilities allowing authorized encrypted PTT devices (subscriber units) to be rekeyed over the air without physically touching the device. Encryption keys must initially be loaded locally with ‘Key Loader’. 3. Vendors may offer proprietary encryption software in their equipment as a no- cost option. The proprietary nature of the software will not allow the use of the over the air re-keying feature or interoperability with other vendor’s devices in the encryption mode. 4. The use of vendor specific proprietary encryption software limits users’ choices for PTT devices and other equipment to that vendor. 5. The WCC has adopted the AES encryption software as the preferred system encryption software and discourages the use of vender proprietary encryption software.