In Motion Technology Makes 4G Mobile Broadband a Reality for Mission Critical Fleets

In Motion Technology today announced that the onBoard Mobile Gateway has been certified to provide mission critical fleets reliable, secure access to Clearwire’s 4G network in dozens of cities nationwide.

Now police, medics, utility workers and other personnel in the field can access multiple high-bandwidth applications, including video, voice, and telemedicine technologies over Clearwire’s 4G network, and seamlessly switch to 3G and other networks outside of the 4G footprint.

"The ability of first responders and other fleet operators to access true 4G mobile broadband connectivity while performing their daily work is another key advancement made possible by the Clearwire 4G network," said Jim Ryder, Senior Vice President of Sales for Clearwire . "Clearwire and In Motion Technology unite one of the nation’s fastest wireless networks with the most reliable, secure mobile hotspot technology to ensure connectivity for the nation’s most demanding organizations."

Engineered for the demands of mission critical organizations, the Gateway is used today in more than 275 first responder, utility and transit fleets. The Gateway is ruggedized to withstand the rigors of the mobile environment, and incorporates the latest firewall, VPN, and wireless encryption technology.

At the heart of the Gateway is In Motion’s patented mobile hotspot technology that connects a variety of wired and wireless communications devices in and around vehicles. Communications from these devices can roam seamlessly across up to 6 networks. This allows organizations to use Clearwire’s 4G network where it is available, and switch to other networks outside of 4G range.

GCT Semiconductor’s WiMAX single-chip, GDM7205, powers the PCIe minicard embedded inside the Gateway. "The FCC-certified PCIe minicard driven by GCT has gone through rigorous testing to become fully certified by Clearwire, meeting all their technical requirements," said Dr. Kyeongho "KH" Lee, President and CEO of GCT Semiconductor, Inc. "We are looking forward to working closely with Clearwire and In Motion Technology to provide new solutions for this critical market."

"4G networks allow mobile organizations to deploy applications and devices that until recently could only be used at the office," said Tony Morris, In Motion Technology’s VP of Sales and Marketing. "Today’s announcement is part of our ongoing commitment to allow our customers to use the most advanced wireless technology available today, and easily transition to whatever comes next."

Clearwire and CLEAR are trademarks or registered trademarks of Clearwire Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

In Motion Technology’s Roadmap for Mission Critical Agencies: Get Ready to Connect Over Multiple Wireless Network

In Motion Technology, the leader in mobile networking technologies that efficiently connect and manage equipment, information and people in the field, today offered the company’s vision for the future of mobile communications, and guidance to help mobile organizations to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.

"Carriers are racing to deploy next generation mobile broadband networks," said Larry LeBlanc, In Motion Technology’s Chief Technology Officer. "Although they will offer bandwidth that we only dreamed of a few years ago, users will need the flexibility to change networks on the fly to optimize cost, performance, and reliability."

Many wireless carriers have announced plans - or have begun deploying - new high speed mobile platforms, including WiMAX, LTE and public safety broadband networks. These networks will usher in a new era of mobile communications, where people on the road will connect at speeds that are faster than most landline broadband connections today. Soon full motion video, VoIP, telemedicine, and other high-bandwidth applications will become commonplace on laptops and hand-held devices.

While 4G networks offer significant performance advantages, 3G networks which have been built out over the past 5 years, offer substantially better, although still spotty, coverage even in many large cities. Thankfully, technology exists today that allows users to seamlessly switch between mobile networks, without dropping a call or losing information.

In Motion’s patented onBoard Mobile Gateway turns vehicles into mobile hotspots, providing reliable secure connectivity to multiple wired and wireless devices. The Gateway can be equipped with up to 6 wireless network cards, allowing communications to roam across wireless networks based on coverage, bandwidth or price. Network cards can be added or swapped out easily, so wireless technologies can upgraded without the expense or hassle of replacing devices.

In Motion Technology’s patented mobile networking solutions are flexible and future-proof, and were designed with the end user - not any one technology - in mind.

"Over the next several years, flexibility will be key," said LeBlanc. "Mission critical organizations should avoid hardware or vendors that are tied to a single carrier or network. By selecting a flexible, upgradable platform, organizations can choose the mix of network technologies and service providers that yields the highest performance at the lowest price."