The Wireless Communications Unit is required to (1) coordinate the development, procurement, management and operation of telecommunications equipment, systems, and services by State government; (2) acquire and manage common user telecommunication equipment, systems, or services and charge units of State government for their proportionate share of the costs of installation, maintenance, and operation of the common user telecommunication equipment, systems, or services; (3) promote compatibility of telecommunications systems by developing policies, procedures, and standards for the acquisition and use of telecommunication equipment, systems, and services by units of State government; (4) coordinate State government telecommunication systems and services by reviewing requests by units of State government for telecommunication equipment, systems, or services; (5) advise units of State government about planning, acquisition, and operation of telecommunications equipment, systems, or services; and (6) provide radio frequency coordination for State and local governments in accordance with regulations of the Federal Communications Commission. Additionally, the Unit may make arrangement for a user other than a unit of State government to have access to and use of State telecommunication equipment, systems, and services.
The Wireless Communications Unit functions as the sole support to many State and local government agencies and department executives and is responsible for planning, design, review, development and coordination of projects and programs pertaining to wireless communications systems and services statewide. The personnel of the Wireless Communications Unit are the Project Managers supporting agency applications with new or expanded wireless communication system requirements.
By providing agencies the tools necessary to more efficiently perform their mandates, the Wireless Communications Services Unit indirectly provides public safety (police, fire, and emergency medical services), highway (disabled motorist assistance, traffic advisory signs, camera monitoring of traffic) and other essential services to the citizens of Maryland and the surrounding regions.
For information on purchasing mobile devices and plans, please see the Mobile Devices and Services Master Contract.
