ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -
We first told you about the problem last year. Orlando police officers and fire officials have been experiencing loss of signals inside the Amway Center when using their Motorola radios.
"It could pose an issue," said Sgt. Vince Ogburn with Orlando Police. While he sees the signal loss as a potential problem, he says the public has never been in danger.
"At no point in time have they ever been that way. We have always been able to communicate, whether it's radio or walkie talkie. We've always had communications inside and outside."
He did explain what was happening in way we can all understand.
"If you're driving down the road right now on a highway where you lose a signal, lose a call, well that's what's happening inside the Amway Center right now," he said.
A piece of equipment called a bi-directional amplifier is designed to boost the cell signal and coverage for the entire public as well as emergency responders. The price tag for the item and its installation will cost the city $225,000.
"The purchase of this piece of equipment will enhance the signal strength allowing you to have total coverage throughout the whole arena," said Sgt. Ogburn.
Orlando Police believes that, even in the event of a big emergency in the Amway Center, not one radio transmission by workers will be lost. When the Amway Center was designed and built, Orlando Police and Orlando Fire had not yet fully converted to the Motorola radio system.
