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Celluar service causes problems for township
(by Kathleen Radcliff, staff writer - August 30, 2012)
The answer to the question, “Can you hear me now?” may be “yes,” as Franklin Township trustees consider a change in cellular service providers.
“We’re having problems on a good day,” Franklin Township Police Chief Jim Timko said.
To drive the point home, Timko walked two office doors over during their meeting on Aug. 16.
“With just that change in distance, I cannot get service,” Timko said.
The township has its cellular service through Nextel, which is now Sprint, and is looking to switch to Verizon for its service.
“We have to be able to do business,” Assistant Fire Chief Mark Kidd said.
Kidd said during some fire and EMS runs, drivers are unable to access directions until they are approximately a block-and-a-half from the township’s two fire stations.
“That’s not a good situation,” Kidd said. “The connectivity just is not there.”
The township is not the only municipality looking to switch providers. The city of Columbus and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office also want to switch, Kidd said.
Kidd said Verizon would buy the township’s old equipment, making the switch almost seamless.
“It sounds like it’s a wash, cost-wise, and could be cheaper down the road,” Trustee Timothy Guyton said.
The next step will be to work with Columbus and the sheriff’s office to switch out the data terminals, Kidd said.
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