Radio IP demonstrates new VPN solution

Radio IP Software last week demonstrated its forthcoming Concurrent VPN technology, which is designed to let users simultaneously access various applications over a variety of wireless networks.

With Concurrent VPN technology, a public-safety entity or other enterprise can establish policies dictating which applications are operated over which available wireless network, said Patrick Tabourin, Radio IP’s director of marketing and product management.

For instance, mission-critical computer-aided dispatch (CAD) applications likely would use the data capability of a mission-critical LMR network, while video applications may use a Wi-Fi or cellular network, and a satellite network could be used when other networks are unavailable, Tabourin said. While many mobile VPN solutions allow users to switch from one network to another, they do not allow users to access two or more networks simultaneously, he said.

“Sometimes you are paying for an infrastructure you are not able to use, while this will let you benefit truly from a network you are paying for,” Tabourin said.

Concurrent VPN is not a data-aggregation solution, so each application is assigned a specific network, based on priorities and availability, Tabourin said.

“We want to have mission-critical data on mission-critical networks, and people do not want to have very critical information on a less secure network like Wi-Fi,” he said. “It’s very important for them to know where the data will go and over which network.”

Although the Concurrent VPN technology was demonstrated at a TETRA conference, the solution will work with all wireless networks currently supported by Radio IP, including Project 25. Radio IP expects to have a beta customer using Concurrent VPN by the end of this year, and the solution should be commercially available early in 2010, Tabourin said.