Reporter’s notebook: UTC releases telecom-spending report
UTC releases telecom-spending report
Total utility telecom-related spending could top $5 billion in 2010, according to a
United Telecom Council (UTC) study released this week. The study noted that two major government spending initiatives will fuel this increase: $7.2 billion in broadband deployment grants administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Rural Utility Service (RUS) and the $4.5 billion in smart-grid grants administered by the Department of Energy, all initiatives mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. For the study, the UTC asked core utility members about the types of equipment and services utilities use, the purchasing process for that equipment, the frequency of upgrades for telecom equipment, and the cost of various equipment and services. The report is free to UTC core utility members and can be downloaded
here. UTC associate members can purchase the analysis for $1,995. Non-members can purchase it for $2,499.
Columbitech unveils FIPS-certified mobile VPN
Columbitech announced the FIPS 140-2–certified
Mobile VPN with security and session persistence for public-safety agencies and other emergency-service departments. The company’s software-based solution has been tested by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to receive the military-grade
FIPS 140-2 certification. Based on the Transport Layer Protocol (TLS) standard, the Mobile VPN offers multifactor authentication and strong encryption to ensure transmitted data remains secure. For public-safety professionals working in the field, the solution’s
session persistence enables persistent wireless access to all office applications, including emergency dispatch, fire inspection data, police reports, vehicle and identity checkups, and other records-management systems, according to the company.
Bio-key International announces new customer
BIO-key International announced a contract award from the Ulster County (N.Y.) Sheriff’s Office for additional licenses of BIO-key’s MobileCop in-vehicle software. The sheriff’s office is extending mobile data to its entire fleet, as well as to patrol vehicles in the New Paltz and Lloyd police departments. The department also has deployed PocketCop, the company’s complementary mobile data solution on BlackBerry smartphones, to its command staff and detectives.
