March 10, 2005 - (HOSTSEARCH.COM) – Using the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum for public safety applications offers many benefits such as inexpensive off-the-shelf hardware and extreme flexibility in design and configuration options. But for every benefit, there is a challenge, and the primary challenge in the application of these technologies is security.
Michael Powell, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) met today with Larry Allhands, one of the founders of Bluemotorcycle Consulting (http://www.bluemotorcycle.com), to discuss the wireless mesh network deployed there and the technology employed to secure it.
“If properly secured, there is no reason why law enforcement agencies should not consider using off-the-shelf wireless technologies to enhance their communications abilities,” said Larry Allhands. “By deploying the relatively inexpensive wireless technology, the San Mateo Police Department has enjoyed a savings of man-hours normally taken by officers returning to the police department to write and print reports. In addition to this, response time to calls for service has decreased and officers have access to important law enforcement resources in the field.”
“I liked what I saw,” said Powell. “We’ve seen many systems hanging on poles. It was nice to see that this system really works as advertised.”
