AT&T to sell gov't, businesses emergency infrastructure equipment

AT&T Mobility (T) introduced a product that public-safety groups and businesses with critical communications needs can use to get wireless coverage in a disaster, when traditional cellular service may be knocked out or in areas where coverage isn’t available.
The AT&T Remote Mobility Zone is interesting because it lets government and business customers set up cell sites in the event of a disaster, but also encourages government and businesses to deploy a permanent backup solution – or in some cases a primary coverage solution – by buying the AT&T product. Individual customers cannot buy the product.
“In the pivotal first minutes of a natural or man-made disaster, AT&T Remote Mobility Zone provides a solution to help maintain critical mobile communications,” said Chris Hill, VP, Advanced Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. “With AT&T Remote Mobility Zone, users can set up a cell site in less than 30 minutes.”
The company said its fixed product is targeted at groups that operate in remote areas where AT&T holds spectrum but does not offer wireless coverage or as a backup solution in case coverage is down. Its AT&T Mobility Vanguard Services L.L.C. subsidiary can install these cell sites, the company said in a news release. Equipment costs can vary from $15,000 to $45,000, and exclude site installation, optional service level agreements and optional satellite bandwidth. End users also pay monthly recurring charges.
AT&T’s “Fly-away” solution is essentially a cell site in a suitcase that can be deployed to extend service to one-half a mile in areas where communications have been knocked out. It was designed for use by police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel. A “Park and Use” solution is designed for government use, and integrates cell sites into vehicles, where users can activate them when needed. Roof-mounted satellite antennas can be included in this product.
AT&T Remote Mobility Zone customers that have its priority access service can choose to prioritize certain cellular traffic to ensure that key personnel can access the network.