TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute agreements, amendments to extend the term, and all related documents with Sprint/Nextel and Verizon, to provide cellular broadband services in an aggregated amount not to exceed $382,000 per year for one year; and increase appropriations in the General Services Fund (IS 385) and in the Department of Technology Services by $250,000. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Technology Services Department is responsible for administering cellular broadband service for City departments' mobile workforce. Currently, the City uses cellular broadband service, primarily for building inspectors to access data while in the field. Other City departments with similar requirements are beginning to benefit from the use of this technology. At this time, Technology Services supports approximately 150 cellular data modems and the City's use of cellular data technology continues to grow with the improvement of bandwidth capabilities.
The Long Beach Police Department is planning to use cellular broadband service which would allow officers the ability to process reports in the field, research computerized records, and retrieve investigative database information (e.g., photographs) and other City related applications.
Currently, the Department uses the City's radio communications infrastructure, which does not provide the capacity to perform these functions while in the field given the upgraded computer-aided dispatch/records management system requirements.
In 2006, the Police Department upgraded their mobile data computers to Panasonic Toughbook computers with the goal of moving more of the officers' work tasks into the field. To this end, on January 9, 2007, the City Council approved the Police Department's request to purchase modems and connectivity software in support of implementing cellular broadband technology. (Attached)
Based on this approval, Technology Services initiated a Request for Proposal process for cellular broadband ...
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