HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7120 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7120
�44QRr� To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 3, 1986
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, 1412 Subject: MOBILE TELEPHONE COST/AVAILABILITY INFORMATION
It has come to the staff's attention that some Councilmembers receive numerous
City-related telephone calls while away from their respective offices. Due to
the number of these calls, information was requested regarding the
availability and estimated cost of installing mobile telephones in
Councilmembers' vehicles. In order to maintain the accessibility of
Councilmembers to their constituents, it may be advantageous to the citizens
of Fort Worth for the City Council to consider the installation of mobile
telephones in their vehicles.
Available Options
Cost estimates are provided below for various alternatives. The figures
provided are base prices based on the outright purchase of the telephone
units. Additional options and/or features can of course be added at an
additional cost.
The permanently installed units can be removed and transferred to other
vehicles if necessary. Payment of the installation charges would be required.
All units carry a two-year warranty.
OPTION 1: Standard Cellular Phone - permanently installed
$ 939 unit price
100 installation
$1 ,039
OPTION 2: Same as above but with feature that allows it to be converted to a
portable unit quickly and easily.
$1,300
OPTION 3: Briefcase Unit - sane as installed units. Battery-operated and
with ac/dc capability. This type of unit requires daily recharging and weighs
approximately 22 pounds.
$1 ,300
OPTION 4: Portable Unit - battery operated
$1,200 - $3,100
The cost of these units varies depending on the length of "talk time"
required. The $3,100 model provides approximately 30-35 minutes of actual
[ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS -----
INFORMAL. REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7120 ' P.2
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�4ffoar To the Mayor and Members of the City Council .tune 3, 1986
xAc, Subject: MOBILE TELEPHONE COSTlAVAILABILITY INFORMATION
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talk time, but can go eight hours without recharging. These type units
normally use a desk-top recharging unit. A feature which allows the units to
be plugged-in to the vehicle's cigarette lighter is available.
OPTION 5: "Hands-Free" Unit
Same as the permanently installed unit but with "hands-free" feature:
$ 959 unit
100 installation
195 installation of hands-free speaker and adapter
$1,254
Service Costs
Service costs for the above units are as follows:
$35 per month base charge
12 - 38 cents per minute of actual usage
Costs vary depending on time of day calls are made/received.
The per-minute charge is for all calls, both incoming and
outgoing.
Service Providers Available
Two service providers are available - Southwestern Hell Mobile Systems and
Metrocel. The latter is a relatively new company providing non-wire line
service. The reception available with each service is almost identical. It
is anticipated that with the addition of second service provider, charges may
decrease slightly in the near future.
Sufficient funds are available in the Mayor and Council budget should the
Council wish to proceed with the telephone installations. If it is the
concurrence of Council and the installation of mobile telephones is desired,
appropriate arrangements will be made.
Additional information will be provided upon request.
Douglas Harman
City Manager
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS