[FedCom] Federal Govt and Nextel

[Ken Windyka]

Well actually the feds use of NEXTEL isn't really new.. In the past the FBI
had a separate manager assigned with NEXTEL to coordinate activities
nationwide (I would guess that they've got well over 1,000 units
nationwide!!!(because nextel doesn't commit to a separate manager until that
threshold is met)  & I think that there was one other major agency listed on
NEXTEL's website.  Also GSA did have a price schedule established with
NEXTEL for quite a few years.

Personally, I really don't undestand why the fed would go with basically a
cellular phone system that could get knocked out.  As far as an
adminstrative support type comms sure it would be fine.  Anyone who would
put there life on the line by using a NEXTEL type cellphone/direct connect
needs to rethink that position.  I've personally found that with NeXTEL
direct connect if you both transmit at the same time it locks up the
transmission path & the radios have to reset.  This reset can take greater
than 30 seconds, especially if the user's continue to walk over one another.
Not sure if they really corrected this yet but in the heat of a problem and
would assume a lot of that is going to happen!!!!

Furthermore, coverage will be another problem.  Most fed bid
invitation/requirements for cellular/wireless services in the past have
always included an anlog provision because analog cellphone has been around
longer and there's a chance that analog might be available in an area that
digital doesn't work in.....

Frankly these are just cellphones & not radios & everyone needs to be
specifically briefed on this.  In the past NeXTEL has put disclaimers on the
various groups (which have now been basically combined) that stated that the
comms weren't for emergency type use...   So what has changed????

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area


----- Original Message -----
From: "rod jones" <rj_721@yahoo.com>
>
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 7:43 PM
Subject: [FedCom] Fwd: [FLACOM] Federal Govt and Nextel


> Just saw this from another list and thought some may like to know.
>
> > According to internetnews.com, yesterday the GSA and Nextel signed a
> > contract for Nextel to provide nationwide SMR and other services for
> > emergency response for all federal agencies.  The contract also
> > permits local agencies in certain cases to come on also.  Inital
> > contract $200 million with possible one billion over 5 years.