Phoenix goes mobile

Three companies will share a five-year, $45.6 million contract to provide the city of Phoenix with mobile communications equipment and software.

The companies are EF Johnson Co., Lincoln, Neb.; Kenwood Corp., Tokyo; and Motorola Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.

EF Johnson will provide 800 Mhz software programmable 5100 series portable and 5300 series mobile radios. The equipment will be available to all city departments and agencies. It is likely that public safety and first responders will use some of the equipment, EF Johnson said.

As a result of the collaboration, "we are able to provide equipment and support a system that will offer a high-level of protection to the residents of Phoenix," he said.