|
Newsletters
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless Developer Network - Daily News
Visit the WirelessDevNet Symbian DevZone
Today's News |
Yesterday's News |
Submit News |
News-"wireless" Top Stories! |
Around-The-Web
| Wireless DevZones!
EDGE WIRELESS AND AIRBIQUITY BRING WIRELESS E9-1-1 TO RURAL OREGON
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Joins State and Local Officials to Launch Life-Saving Technology
EUGENE, Ore. (June 5, 2002) -- Edge Wireless, LLC, a member of the AT&T Wireless Network, Airbiquity, a location technology provider, Plant Equipment, Qwest and the Oregon Office of Emergency Management held a press conference on Thursday, May 30, 2002 to officially launch Phase II wireless E9-1-1 in western Oregon. The service will allow public safety answering points to pinpoint the location of callers, shaving critical minutes off emergency service response times.
The service was initiated by the Oregon Office of Emergency Management under the auspices of the State E9-1-1 program office. United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and state and local emergency management officials were on hand to announce the news.
"Phase II means faster, more immediate service at a time when even a few minutes can make a critical difference," said Senator Wyden. "Oregon is showing the way not only for this community but for the country and I commend all of you for your good work."
"Phase II" is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate that all wireless telecommunications service providers have the ability to determine the physical location of callers who dial 9-1-1 from their mobile phones. This will enable emergency personnel to respond more quickly to calls for help, increasing the chances of survival for victims. Oregon is the first western state to implement this technology. The rollout of Phase II began in Douglas County this month and extends to three more counties over the summer.
"Oregon really deserves to be congratulated and the partners here between local government and the state and industry partners Edge Wireless, Airbiquity and Qwest have really come together to make it (E9-1-1) really happen," said Thera Bradshaw, president elect, Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO).
"You have proven that wireless location will not just be delivered to the major metropolitan areas. It can be done anywhere and it must be done now," said Bill McMurray, incoming second-vice president, National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
Speakers, dignitaries and special invitees included:
* Thera Bradshaw - president elect, Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and director of emergency communications for the city and county of San Francisco
* Bill McMurray - incoming second-vice president, National Emergency Number Association (NENA)
* Ken Keim - E9-1-1 program director, Oregon Office of Emergency Management
* Captain Ray Duncan - Douglas County Sheriff's Department
* Representatives from Edge Wireless, Airbiquity, Qwest, and Plant Equipment, Inc., the companies that worked cooperatively with the State of Oregon to provide this new service
Wireless phone users can now purchase the GPS Accessory , at Edge Wireless retail outlets in Oregon. Edge Wireless is the first TDMA wireless carrier in the United States to offer a GPS-based handset solution for E9-1-1 and commercial location services. Airbiquity's GPS Accessory also operates on CDMA, GSM, and AMPS wireless networks and is compatible with 44 different Nokia wireless phone models being sold worldwide.
About Airbiquity
Airbiquity(tm) (www.airbiquity.com) is the location technology company that delivers global positioning system (GPS) data to any wireless network worldwide. The company's patented aqLink(tm) software enables wireless carriers, automobile manufacturers, commercial call centers and Internet portals to offer their subscribers location-based services that enhance productivity, manage assets, and deliver personalized content. Airbiquity's top-tier customers include AAA, RESPONSE Services Center (a wholly owned subsidiary of AAA), Wingcast (a joint venture of Ford Motor Company and Qualcomm Incorporated), Agere Systems (formerly Lucent Microelectronics), Security Associates International, and Entrust Connections.
About Edge Wireless
Edge Wireless, LLC, (http://www.edgewireless.com) headquartered in Bend, OR., offers service in portions of Oregon, California, Idaho and Wyoming. Edge Wireless is a member of the AT&T Wireless Network. All inquiries regarding Edge Wireless should be directed to Darla Pomeroy at 541.312.5451. Edge Wireless is a service mark of Edge Wireless, LLC. (c) 2002 Edge Wireless, LLC.
About Plant Equipment
Established in 1968, Plant Equipment Inc. (PEI) (http://www.peinc.com/) is a major solutions supplier for public safety equipment providers including: Motorola, Qwest, SBC, Sprint, and Verizon. The industry leader in public and private safety telecommunications, PEI's products include key telephone systems, ANI/ALI controllers, computer telephony integration (CTI), critical application software, digital-logging systems, intelligent workstations, mapping applications, high-speed notification and a comprehensive suite of professional services. PEI is a Microsoft Certified Partner.
|
|
|
|
