October 2009
The current mobile data system was originally installed for Law Enforcement in 1993 and for Fire Departments in 1996. The system resides on a Motorola RD-Lap platform that will no longer be supported beyond December 2012. At this time, mobile data for law enforcement transmits and receives off one antenna located at Willard Park . (The fire community was upgraded to four sites in 2007). Even if the current system was going to be supported longer than 2012, the single tower does not provide adequate coverage for the entire law enforcement community and is not robust enough to support the current demands on the system.
Newer technology currently available would enable the user to receive mug shots, streaming video, fingerprints, and BMV pictures; however, these applications require a much greater bandwidth than is currently possible on our system.
MECA is currently working with ISA to institute a test Wi-Fi in the Indianapolis downtown area and will be meeting with an expert mobile data consultant to begin exploring the feasibility and best options for Indianapolis. This mobile data project will be dependant on the CAD project, as the information that is pushed over mobile data often comes from the CAD system.