Government working exclusively with Sprint for 2010 Census

Screw the Pre -- government contracts are where the real action is at, and Sprint's got to be thrilled to know that it's the first, the last, and the only carrier to be used by the US Census in its 2010 once-per-decade review of the nation's denizens. We've known for some time that HTC would be supplying custom hardware to data collection folks in the field -- a device cleverly codenamed Census -- and indeed, Sprint's press release makes mention of the fact that about 140,000 workers started using the Harris-branded devices with integrated fingerprint readers and GPS back in April of this year. Sprint's also supplying a bit of infrastructure and about 1,500 wireless data cards, all told making this by far the most wireless Census in history. Makes you wonder what kind of equipment they're going to use in 2020, doesn't it?

[Rosewood Posted Jul 1st 2009 6:49PM]

Wouldn't the older pre-computer census be more wireless?

It seems like both a dubious statement and a redundant one at the same time which is quite the accomplishment.

[montusama Posted Jun 30th 2009 11:06AM]

Sprint has got to be loving the green this will bring in for a solid year.

[tande04 Posted Jun 30th 2009 11:15AM]

I wonder how thats going to effect the network?

I'd imagine there would be some noticeable differences.

[88jr Posted Jun 30th 2009 1:28PM]

I don't think so...140,000 handsets and 1,500 aircards aren't going to make much of a difference...besides, isn't that was they lost in customers last week? I'm KIDDING! I'm a huge Sprint fan...love the company. I figured I'd fit in on this site if I bash Sprint like everyone else...

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2009 1:16PM]

I worked for the census in it's first phase as an Enumerator. This unit is a dog. It's slow; freezes often; and has been determined to be inadequate for the performance requirements for which it was designed. Purportedly, the census, having been broken down into 13 phases, it has been determined that this unit was incapable of performing all phases, as was desired. Instead it was only used for two or those phases (Enumeration and Auditing of the enumeration process), and nothing beyond. All monies supposedly expected to be saved, compared to the last census, is now wasted, and the prospective costs instead of saving money, is going to make it more expensive to the tune of about 2.2 - 3 Billion dollars. And that's the low ball figure.

Food for thought;

1) The company who received the contract is Based in Melbourne Fla.and received the contract in 2006 (Jeb Bush was Governor).
2) The Harris Corp was a large contributor to the Republican Party, and Republican candidates and causes.
3) The Republican Party has been known to be a constant antagonist to the census, and anything that may bring about and accurate
and comprehensive population figures. Draw your own conclusions as to why. Just do the math.

http://fcw.com/articles/2008/04/10/late-requirements-sank-census-handhelds.aspx
http://www.tampabay.com/news/science/article432846.ece?comments=legacy
http://www.mytwocensus.com/tag/harris/

[COCOViper Posted Jun 30th 2009 1:44PM]

Yes because in the history of governments both in the US and the rest of the world, only Republicans are the inefficient wasteful ones!

Give me a break- the problem isn't the piece of government under one party it's the entire thing.

[DeadRebel Posted Jun 30th 2009 3:45PM]

The same could be said for my unit.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2009 1:40PM]

I did some quick research. This handheld was design and built over two years ago. Check the old Gizmodo and Engadget postings. The Census Bureau also did tests in 2006.

Harris competed against Northrup Grumman and General Dynamics for the contract. They contributed heavily to the GOP as well. I don't think anything conspiratorial happened, it just didn't perform to expectations.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2009 4:14PM]

That's what they want us to believe..........