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PacketHop Communication System 2.0 Adds 4.9 GHz and Cellular Data Connectivity

Posted on: Monday, 7 August 2006, 09:00 CDT

PacketHop, Inc., the leader in instant broadband mobile mesh communications systems, today announced the PacketHop Communication System(TM) 2.0, which adds support for interference-free mobile mesh broadband communications in the 4.9 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum and simultaneous cellular data network access for secure Internet connectivity. The system delivers the most advanced data communications system for public safety available on the market.

Version 2.0 of the PacketHop Communication System enables first responders to take advantage of the enhanced reliability and security provided by the licensed 4.9 GHz public safety band to communicate during emergencies. It is also important that, at the scene of an incident, first responders have simultaneous access to the Internet to share real-time information with off-site commanders and specialists providing expert assistance.

"During an incident, it's essential that first responders on the scene be able to communicate efficiently, without limitations," said Long Beach Police Department Lieutenant Kevin King. "PacketHop's technology not only provides first responders on the front lines with tactical information via its various multimedia applications, it now provides significantly enhanced incident-area coverage and cellular data networks backhaul support -- providing first responders not at the scene with a first hand view of the incident."

4.9 GHz Public Safety Band Support

The PacketHop Communication System 2.0 fully supports the 4.9 GHz public safety band, which is specifically dedicated to federal, state and local first responders. Since the 4.9 GHz band is designed for handling public safety communications, it provides first responders with the most secure, reliable communications -- free of the interference and congestion experienced in the unlicensed 5.0 and 2.4 GHz bands. However, the system will continue to provide support for both bands.

Version 2.0 of the PacketHop Communication System offers significantly enhanced range between mobile nodes, spanning over one kilometer -- the length of 10 football fields and approximately 10 times the distance provided by off-the-shelf unlicensed spectrum wireless products. This line-of-site range, in conjunction with PacketHop's mobile mesh networking capabilities, provides law enforcement, fire fighters and other first responders with wider, safer perimeter networks at an incident. PacketHop utilizes high powered, standards-based 4.9 GHz wireless PC cards, combined with external omni-directional antennas to maximize wireless range.

In April, PacketHop deployed the world's first mobile mesh networking broadband 4.9 GHz communications system at the Long Beach Airport in Long Beach, Calif., during one of the largest Homeland Security Training and Evaluation Exercises ever conducted. Utilizing the 4.9 GHz band, PacketHop enabled multiple participating public safety agencies to coordinate a unified response to a simulated terrorist attack.

Cellular Data Network Support

The PacketHop Communication System 2.0 also supports cellular data networks -- including CDMA and GSM -- to provide wide area wireless coverage that capitalizes on the extensive deployment of cellular data infrastructure. Supporting cellular data networks enables first responders to simultaneously connect with -- and send multimedia information to -- remotely located first responders when cellular data networks are available. However, with PacketHop, first responders can continue to communicate and share information amongst each other even if cellular connections are unavailable. Support for new wireless standards like WiMAX will be added as they become commercially available, providing support for the most comprehensive selection of networks.

Secure Communications

PacketHop's technology features the industry's highest level of security. Based on IEEE standards, PacketHop utilizes the 802.11i standard to deliver an uncompromised mobile mesh networking security solution. Featuring 802.1x, WPA2 and AES encryption, the communications platform is capable of instantaneously detecting, authenticating and establishing secure links between mobile devices. A strong link-level AES encryption algorithm is used to assure privacy and data integrity in the mobile mesh network. When accessing backhaul connections, PacketHop provides a secure and encrypted VPN tunnel.

Multimedia Communications Applications

To capitalize on the unprecedented levels of connectivity and coverage supported by PacketHop's mobile mesh networking technology, the company also provides its Aware(TM) Communication Suite of multimedia communications applications, which provides first responders with the most effective means to communicate and share strategic multimedia information. The applications include real-time multicast video, GPS-enabled resource tracking and mapping, multimedia instant messaging and white boarding.

First Responder Benefits

During the Homeland Security Exercise in Long Beach, the city's police department and SWAT team used Aware's white boarding, GPS-enabled resource tracking and mapping and multimedia instant messaging applications to position patrol cars with video cameras around an airport hangar that housed terrorists building a bomb. The real-time video from the cameras were distributed using Aware's real-time multicast video application to the police department's emergency operations center, where the SWAT team safely determined the hangar's safest point of entry. Aware's real-time multicast video application also provided scene commanders with live-action video of the SWAT team overtaking the airport hangar.

Now with the additional capabilities of cellular backhaul, multimedia information -- like the information shared between first responders during the exercise -- can be simultaneously and securely distributed to geographically remote experts like bomb disposal specialists; the Governor's Office of Emergency Services; the FBI; or the Department of Homeland Security -- providing added consultation to the participating agencies.

"Recognizing the importance of local area instant broadband communications and wide area mobile backhaul connectivity, the PacketHop Communications System 2.0 is breaking the boundaries that previously separated information sharing between first responders on the frontlines with remote personnel," said Michael Howse, president and CEO of PacketHop. "PacketHop's standards-based, infrastructure optional approach provides first responders with the industry's highest level of interoperability, reliability and security."

The PacketHop Communication System 2.0 will be available in the fourth quarter of this year.

About PacketHop

PacketHop is the leader in instant broadband mobile-mesh communications systems. The PacketHop Communications System delivers the freedom to network on-the-fly, and securely operate with or without access points. PacketHop also provides server-less applications including real-time multicast video, GPS positioning, instant messaging, and white boarding, in addition to supporting other Internet-based applications. PacketHop's technology and products are covered by more than 20 issued and pending patent applications. For more information on PacketHop, please visit www.packethop.com.

(C)2006 PacketHop, Inc. PacketHop and Aware are trademarks of PacketHop, Inc. The names of other companies and their products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: Business Wire

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