Technology News

The International Packet Communications Consortium (IPCC) has established a new working group to define the reference architectures for transparency and seamless mobility across wireline and wireless networks. The IPCC's Wireless Wireline Convergence Working Group will focus on defining reference architectures for an access agnostic network across DSL, fiber, cable, 2.5G/3G cellular, Wi-Fi, and WiMax networks. Its work will include mobile handover between 2G/3G and Wi-Fi/WiMax and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) within 3GPP. It will investigate other areas where efficiencies may be achieved in operations and capital costs. This working group will also coordinate with the appropriate standards bodies such as ANSI, ETSI, IETF, 3GPP, the DSL Forum, and WiMax Forum to expedite the proposed reference architecture. Participants include Alcatel, Brooktrout, Cisco, Convedia, eLec, Sonus, Tekelec, Time Warner Telecom, and UTStarcom.

Product News

In the runup to the CTIA Wireless conference in New Orleans last week, there have been few significant product announcements to report.

Among the interesting product developments, Firetide has announced its HotPort high-performance mesh network, which lets standard voice, video, and data applications operate both indoors and outdoors over a high-capacity wireless mesh backbone. In addition to providing fast transport between hops, each node features an integrated high-speed Ethernet switch for connecting standard Ethernet devices to the mesh as well as local line-rate switching up to 100 Mbps per port. The HotView mesh management software provides both live monitoring and remote management of HotPort mesh networks, including security, virtual LANs, traffic prioritization, radio power control, and network gateway interconnects. Live monitoring features include mesh statistics, node statistics, and a graphical view of active connections. Users can import graphics of floor plans or maps to show the physical location of HotPort nodes. The company positions the technology for video surveillance networks, Wi-Fi networks, and multi-service networks in environments such as hotels, airports, convention centers, municipalities, warehouses, and other campus environments where structured wiring such as Ethernet or fiber cabling is too difficult or costly to install.

In other product news:

• Colligo Networks has updated its Colligo Workgroup instant-wireless-network software that lets Windows-based notebooks and hadhelds form peer-to-pewer networks on the fly. New features in Version 4 include enhanced security, better compatibility with applications' server-access expectations, and archiving of notes, file transfers, and chat messages saved to users' hard drives.
• Nextel Communications and Air-Trak have partnered to offer combined cellular/satellite service, allowing Nextel cell phone users and Air-Trak on-vehicle satellite users to combine the two services for coverage anywhere. The combined service allows both data and voice communications, as well as tracking services for delivery and other field staff.
• Intermec Technologies now offers Credant's Mobile Guardian software for Intermec 700 handheld devices. Mobile Guardian adds a layer of physical security through advanced encryption methods and PIN/password controls, ensuring that the device itself and the data onboard are secure even if the device is stolen or lost.
• Boingo Wireless has made a roaming agreement with SBC so Boingo subscribers can access SBC's 3,400 FreedomLink hot spots. It's also made a deal with Boeing's Conexion division so Boingo subscribers can use the Connexion in-flight mobile Internet service, currently offered on a few transatlantic flights. The two affiliations expand the Boingo network reach to about 16,000 hot spots. Boingo essentially offers single billing and user sign-on to other providers' hot spots, in addition to some that it manages itself.

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