Westchester County, through its Westchester Telecom Network and association with Lightpath, has a cutting-edge communications network delivering integrated voice, video, high-speed data and Internet services via a 400-mile Lightpath optical network that links Westchester government offices, schools, libraries and hospitals. Thanks to Lightpath, businesses can enjoy the reliability and quality of an end to end fiber based network built specifically for Westchester County from the first mile to the last mile. 

The Westchester Telecom project was initiated in 1999.  Under the project, over 8,000 lines in 40 county-occupied buildings were converted to the "995" exchange, with the last four digits of phone numbers remaining the same.  This first step in the project foreshadowed current advances in voice, video, and data services.

The goal of the Westchester Telecom project is simple: to bring modern telecommunications resources to Westchester County.  There are several benefits that have been realized from this project.  One being that Cablevision can provide telephone service at a highly competitive rate, which translates into big savings for the County and all participants tapped into the network.  The County was previously paying an average of $16 per month for each telephone line but now pays closer to $10 for each line.  The greater benefits of the Westchester Telecom project lie on the data side because it allows for high-speed, modern networking between sites.

For more about Westchester Telecom, visit the Westchester County Office of Economic Development

Westchester County's 911 system enables emergency dispatchers to quickly identify the origin of a call for help and which emergency services cover that location. The Department of Information Technology is responsible for the County's  telecommunications infrastructure, including the technical and fiscal administration of the 911 system.

DoIT's GIS division also provides daily support for the system's mapping component.

When you dial 911 in Westchester, you will be connected to operators at your local police department for immediate assistance.  By routing calls to live dispatchers who see the address and number of the caller on a computer screen, the Enhanced 911 Service (E911) used by the County ensures efficient and professional response to police, fire and EMS emergencies. 

When using a cell phone to dial 911, your call will first be routed to State Police who will then transfer your call to the appropriate local PD.  It is important to note that E911 service is currently unavailable to callers dialing 911 on their cell phones.    

To maintain optimal E911 system performance, DoIT will soon begin replacing 15-year-old equipment at the primary answering points around the county.  Old user consoles, as well as “backroom” 911 equipment, will be modernized.   

Click here for more important information and links related to 911

The County has the ability to make many simultaneous phone calls to selected areas, what is often called "Reverse 911".  This technology is used to make sure that families in an affected area are given direct instructions on what to do in response. 

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