Georgia County Government - December 2008 - (Page 28)

CELL TOWERS continued from page 27 a formal business continuity/disaster recovery program, responsible for minimizing the impact of a disruption to customers, employees, infrastructure and operations. Time and time again, reliable wireless communication has proven to be THE critical factor helping communities mitigate risk and impact during times of crisis. wireless carriers can ensure that infrastructure is built at the best possible location to provide the best possible service to the community. As with any industry seeking vendor support, it is important for government officials to carefully evaluate potential consultants to ensure their ability to assist the local regulation process. When choosing a consultant in this arena, local governments would do well to perform the following due diligence: • Solicit competitive bids or proposals; • Ask about specific skills the consultant brings to understand the service offered: Is the consultant a certified planner, trained engineer, licensed attorney? • Determine if the consultant uses a standard ordinance, or works with local government staff and officials, the public, and service providers to develop an ordinance to meet the specific needs in the local community. • Question potential consultants about any involvement in past or present lawsuits in your home state or elsewhere; • Interview potential consultants to determine their existing views regarding cell tower siting, service, and providers. Consider carefully claims that consultants are experts in the technology, proprietary design requirements, or internal processes, of any wireless company. • Understand the consultant’s business model to determine their viability and cost structure, and if they operate by supplementing local staff or intend to operate independently; • Confirm the consultant’s scope of work, reporting responsibilities, timing commitments, and fee schedule in writing; Cap or limit fees to the actual costs of review. • Confirm that the consultant knows and understands applicable telecommunications laws. to citizens and officials alike. However, it’s vitally important to note that, there can be a big difference between carriers in the quality of the network technology provided. Verizon Wireless has been doing business with state and local governments for over a decade and one of the reasons government agencies rely on Verizon Wireless is because of the company’s use of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology developed specifically for the U.S. Military. CDMA networks utilize a trio of security protocols – authentication, data protection, and anonymity – to provide users’ privacy. Further, the Verizon Wireless network is constantly tested, constantly drilled and is resilient by design. Services are provided through a large and sophisticated national network of nearly 150 Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) and Data Centers and approximately 23,000 cellular sites. This is designed to provide continuous service and to reduce the possibility of interrupted communications, especially during times of crisis. The use of battery and generator back-up systems in critical locations also serves to minimize the risk of a disruption if commercial power is lost. Verizon Wireless also has the ability to dynamically reroute traffic over the network to address switch, microwave, interconnection problems or capacity issues. This provides additional flexibility and the ability to direct available bandwidth where responders need it the most. And with an undying commitment to the network, Verizon Wireless offers the most reliable wireless solutions available today. Verizon Wireless appreciates the ongoing positive and mutual support of local communities across Georgia. To continue to expand and support reliable service to all communities, wireless carriers and local officials need to continue to keep forging these relationships, keep lines of communication open, listen to each other’s concerns and learn about technology and community issues as much as possible. Only through such a partnership can wireless communication be the critical foundation in a successful communication infrastructure. ■ The Value of Hiring a Consultant Over the past several years, local governments have increasingly used the services of consultants to help serve the community’s telecommunications needs. Verizon Wireless’ experience nationwide has shown that many of these consultants provide a true benefit to local governments in answering specific questions and educating them where necessary regarding the wireless industry. While most local governments have capable personnel on staff to address many, if not all, issues raised by cell tower applications, the use of qualified and unbiased consultants can provide valuable support to local experts. Working together, local officials and Your EMS Billing Solution Since 1988 Are You Ready to Increase Your Cash Collections for EMS? 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Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - December 2008

Georgia County Government - December 2008 Contents President's Message County Matters 2009 Legislative Forecast: ACCG's Platform for the Coming Legislative Session ACCG Policy Staff 2008 Legislative Awards Honor Georgia Lawmakers Cell Towers and Local Governments Oglethorpe Power Plans Biomass Electric Facilities Georgia's Grand Old Courthouses: Dawson County Extension News: Biofuels Development Research Corner: Implementing a Record Retention Policy County Parade Index of Advertisers/Advertiser.com

Georgia County Government - December 2008

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