Mesa Council approves contract for new antenna system at Gateway Airport

By Connor Van Ligten
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The Mesa City Council unanimously approved the 11-month use of a cooperative contract for a new antenna system at the Mesa Gateway Airport at their recent meeting.

The vote passed 7-0. The state of Arizona cooperative contract is with DiscountCell at $250,000 for the first year and $30,000 annually for subsequent years.

According to council documents, the new antenna system will ensure reliable communication across the airport and eliminate dead spots.

“Mesa Gateway Airport has experienced persistent radio city communication challenges in several areas, resulting in missed calls and transmission failures for first responders using portable radios,” council documents stated. “To address these critical gaps, an Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System will need to be installed.”

The contract is termed to run from Sept. 22 to Aug. 11, 2026, with a three-year renewal option. The contract is funded by DoIT Project funding. Council documents stated that using the state contract allows the city to receive competitive rates based on a formally solicited agreement, and that soliciting for bidders would not result in the city receiving more favorable pricing or terms.