[MilCom] GSM Cellphones replacing Intra Base Radio Systems?

Ken rfinder1 at verizon.net
Sat Dec 17 12:39:43 EST 2005


Recently I was conducting some research on TMobile cellphone coverage. 
Interestingly I found that TMobile has a cellsite  on  Westover JARB, MA. 
I also remember about 1 year of so, that there was a contract 
soliciation/information from Altus AFB, OH regarding GSM cellphone 
technology to include the addition of an encryption device.

At Westover JARB, although the base converted last year to P25 digital 
intrabase radio nets including new frequencies, so far the so called 
"Commander's Net" has not been heard by any monitors.  There's also been 
indication (e.g. informing the command post via the UHF aero freq) that even 
crew members on C5's have used cellphones to talk directly with the 
Supervisor of Flying when problems arise, as well as some security & 
aircraft maintenance units being asked to call their respective dispatch 
centers.   So perhaps TMobile GSM cellphones are being used as a quasi 
encryption/sensitive and/or backup communications system on military bases.

Perhaps others next to military bases could perfom a search on TMobile's 
site to confirm the existence of a cell site on that base.  GSM Technolgoy 
is not monitorable by consumer grade scanners presently on the market.

see:  http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/

Also I'm just wondering when TMobile is going to introduce an Off network 
walkie/talkie option in their equipment similiar to what Sprint/Nextel is 
offering.

Please post your findings to the list... thanks

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area

 




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