Submitted By: Susan Dobson
Presentation By: Michael Balken
Department: Police
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
title
Information notification for switch of cellular service from Verizon to AT&T (FirstNet)
end
OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence .
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Ocala Police Department (OPD) over the years has utilized several different carriers including AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. The agency has noted several issues with Verizon regarding the quality of service for the past three to four years. After working with Verizon, OPD and Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) decided to perform a cellular carrier test of three major carriers AT&T(FirstNet), T-Mobile, and Verizon. We conducted a test of each carrier throughout both fleets (OPD and OFR) during the period of January 21, 2022 - March 1, 2022.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
When our testing concluded, Verizon scored the lowest across the board in the three categories that we deemed important to our agencies. We tracked download speed, upload speed, and latency. The results show that FirstNet and T-Mobile have adequate download, upload, and latency. FirstNet is better with upload and T-Mobile is better with download. FirstNet offers additional benefits with having First Responder bandwidth that is separate from the standard priority and preemption that is offered by the other two carriers. With that we will be transitioning to AT&T (FirstNet) to ensure that the public safety agencies are operating with the best connections available at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The costs per line for FirstNet start at $39.99 + fees for voice and $34.99 + fees for data. The Ocala Police Department currently has 263 voice lines and 385 data lines. Ocala Fire Rescue currently has 25 voice lines and 45 data lines. The service will continue monthly until it no longer adequately meets the needs of city departments.
The fiscal analysis concluded the following:
|
Provider |
OPD Monthly Cost |
OFR Monthly Cost |
|
AT&T |
$26,730.00 |
$1,938.75 |
|
TMobile |
$25,624.94 |
$1,554.72 |
|
Verizon |
$24,493.93 |
$1,737.45 |
Switching providers will increase monthly expenses for both OPD ($2,236.07) and OFR ($201.30) which can be supported within their current budgets.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
All carriers utilize contracts with the State of Florida Department of Management Services.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The contract/ordinance is pending review by the City Attorney/Assistant City Attorney, Patrick G. Gilligan/W. James Gooding.
ALTERNATIVE:
Deny or table.