Verizon, In Motion extend networks to vehicles over 4G LTE (with related video)

Jan 19, 2012 4:15 PM, By James Careless

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In Motion Technology’s onBoard Mobile Networking System – which allows public-safety agencies to securely extend their networks into cars and trucks – now is being supported on Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network.

Unveiled at CES 2012, the 4G LTE–supported onBoard system includes a mobile gateway that transforms vehicles into mobile hotspots, a network management system that monitors system health and communications, and a mobile-optimized VPN server for end-to-end security.

“The onBoard mobile gateway (oMG) has been designed to work with any wireless network and is upgradeable so as networks change, users simply need to add/change radios,” said Kirk Moir, president/COO of In Motion Technology, in an e-mail. “Today, the oMG supports 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, WiMax, satellite, private radio and will support public-safety 700MHz LTE Band 14i.”

The system has been designed for a range of public-safety users, including fire, police and EMS. For instance, in a police car, the oMG can interconnect laptops, tablets, video cameras, CAD/AVL, electronic ticketing, license plate recognition, and biometrics.

Verizon and In Motion demonstrated at CES how the system could be used in ambulances. Their 4G LTE demonstration integrated laptops, tablets, electrocardiograms, electronic patient-care reporting, IP cameras, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and vehicle diagnostic systems.

“In the case of EMS, 4G LTE provides real-time sharing of video, voice and data that can have a dramatic impact on patient outcomes,” Moir said in a release.

According to Moir’s e-mail, In Motion Technology’s solutions are used by more than 350 public safety, transportation, municipal, healthcare and utility organizations today. He added that the system can be fitted with multiple kinds of radios, including public/private cellular, Wi-Fi and MESH.

“Gateway configurations range from $1,095 to $2,000 US/unit,” Moir wrote. “Cost of other system components vary depending on configuration/scale.”