[FedCom] Federal User's Nextel/Sprint IDEN New Hybrid System

[Greg Brazil]

On the Nextel side of the house they have to vacate their 800 MHz 
frequencies over the next couple of years & they have a new assignment 
in the 1840 to 2000 Mhz range, just like Sprint and Cingular, Verizon, T 
Mobile, Metro, etc.
Greg (SF Bay Area)

Ken wrote:

> Interestingly I got an email today at work about the new Sprint/Nextel 
> Hybrid system that is being introduced.  Apparently Sprint is combining 
> sites & electronically improving sites to expand coverage.  Although not 
> encrypted, there isn't a scanner on the market today that can decode 
> these transmissions.
> 
> Apparently the new Sprint hybrid system will keep Sprint subscribers on 
> Sprint digital cellphone with access to nationwide walkie talkie 
> (formerly Nextel "direct connect") that nextel users have access to
> 
> If you go to the Sprint map page  (click on "hybrid" after entering zip 
> code)
> http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/coverage/PhoneZipEntry.jsp?ATR_ExtraOne=UHP_PCS_Phones 
> 
> 
> I'm a bit confused as to whether nextel users will also get access to 
> sprint cellphone sites.
> 
> There's a lot of federal, state, & local government usage of Nextel 
> including the various federal investigative agencies.  What's been 
> interesting has been the development of "'Direct Talk' Off Network 
> Walkie Talkie, which allows basically the units to be used as w/t's, 
> allegedly for up to 6 miles (which I'm skeptical about) as well as the 
> retention of "Nationwide Walkie Talkie", "Group Walkie Talkie", etc.  
> see: http://nextelonline.nextel.com/en/services/walkietalkie/overview.shtml
> which IMHO has impacted in the past the amount of radio communications 
> traffic monitored on investigative agencies radio systems.
> 
> I've noted on one recently new federal/local law enforcement reality 
> series (DSC, Thursdays, 2000 hrs local)  that the USMS seems to use 
> nextel's while enroute to a raid or surveillance BUT changes to their 
> radio system when "on scene" for the actual operation.
> 
> Would be interested to hear from anyone who has direct experience using 
> the off network option direct talk function.  Also other comments on 
> federal nextel usage in your respective areas.
> Here in Springfield MA it appears that the IRS-CID, FBI, & DEA are using 
> Nextel's (based upon TV news footage of these agencies over the last 
> year or so).
> 
> BTW to get an idea of the different nextel portables in use see:
> http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/DisplayPhones
> (not use if the feds have some different models, but I doubt)
> 
> Ken
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Kenyon" <at649 at tcnet.org>
> To: "Discussion of Federal Government Communications" 
> <fedcom at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 1:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [FedCom] Federal User's Nextel/Sprint IDEN?
> 
> 
>> i knew that IDEN isn't encrypted 
> 
> 
> 
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