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AT&T Equips Raleigh Police with 3G Mobile Broadband


WEBWIRE

Scalable Solution Enhances Officer Safety and Provides Wireless Access to Mug Shots, Arrest Warrants and DMV Records

Raleigh, North Carolina.-AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has announced that the Raleigh Police Department is using AT&T’s third-generation (3G) wireless broadband solution, called BroadbandConnect, to deliver mission-critical information to officers across a network that includes more than 500 patrol cars. The solution also supports hand-held devices for officers on bicycles and horseback.

Raleigh Police Department officers have access to AT&T’s BroadbandConnect network throughout the city — even while driving. This network provides them with access to photography and databases that are not available on their two-way radio systems.

“Officers require access to databases of mug shots, arrest warrants and DMV records on the spot,” said Lawrence Cullipher, IT manager, Raleigh Police Department. “Reliable access to data boosts productivity, leads to better decisions and keeps our officers safe while they are protecting the community.”

The AT&T solution includes Sierra Wireless AC875 LaptopConnect cards for each vehicle and NetMotion Wireless’ Mobility XE,™ a mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN) that provides secure, encrypted access to law enforcement databases and maintains persistent connections to the Raleigh systems even while traveling across diverse networks. The LaptopConnect cards fit directly into the officers’ onboard laptops, which connect to mission-critical information by using the AT&T BroadbandConnect network.

The BroadbandConnect network is based on the global GSM standard and uses High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) to provide mobile data connectivity at average download speeds of 400 to 700 Kbps. This allows users to download a 1.0MB file in about 15 seconds, on average.

As part of the network solution, Raleigh was seeking an efficient process to add new units to its fleet or to modify features of existing units. AT&T’s Premier Enterprise Portal provides a custom, secure Web site to add new lines of service and to perform upgrades, migrations, phone number transfers and accessory-only purchases. The service also tracks orders online with real-time shipping status. The Raleigh Police Department can also use this portal to submit trouble tickets that are forwarded to AT&T’s 24/7 technical support desk.

“The Raleigh Police Department serves one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., and we require a communications system that is extremely flexible and scalable,” Cullipher said. “The ability to add, change or delete wireless devices as needed is important for efficient operation.”

In addition to providing criminal history, wants and warrants and DMV information, AT&T’s BroadbandConnect network allows officers to perform many office functions in the vehicle. Instead of writing notes by hand and traveling back to the station to type up reports following incidents in the field, officers can type and send memos from their onboard computer before leaving the scene. This process creates greater efficiency and saves unnecessary paperwork for the officers and station managers.

“Government organizations, particularly public safety officials, require a secure, reliable network provider that can confidently extend communications capabilities beyond traditional two-way radio boundaries,” said Chris Hill, vice president-Government Solutions Group of AT&T’s wireless unit. “AT&T has the largest wireless data network in the U.S., and its solutions allow agencies to extend administrative and support capabilities deeper into the field.”

In 2006, AT&T launched 3G service in Wake County and invested $384 million in the company’s wireless network in North Carolina and South Carolina. AT&T 3G BroadbandConnect network is available in more than 165 major metropolitan areas in the U.S., and customers can seamlessly access AT&T’s nationwide,* high speed EDGE wireless data network when outside of 3G coverage areas.



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