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Rural Connectivity
A service truck routinely travels into a rural area of the utility’s service territory. This truck is currently tracked with a satellite tracking device. The operations manager wants to add faster data communications with the crew at an affordable price to enable e-mail, VPN access to web-enabled work management systems, and web-access to computer-based safety training classes during downtime while in the field, etc. This would be cost-prohibitive if using high-speed satellite data communications and field hardened laptop computers.
Solution: The existing satellite device and service is replaced with an OnComm Rocket™ mobile communications hub, AVaiL Boost™, and an unlimited cellular broadband data card for a reasonable fixed monthly cost from a service provider of choice. The unlimited cellular broadband card is placed in theOnComm Rocket™ unit. The OnComm Rocket™ 802.11g with WPA2 security provides a WiFi hotspot access point for all devices within 300-feet of the vehicle, plus real-time GPS position reporting. The AVaiL Tablet™ provides VPN access to e-mail, web-enabled work management systems, and web-access to computer-based safety training classes at an value.
Optional capabilities such as RFID and on-board vehicle diagnostics can provide further mobile asset management capabilities. AVaiL Boost™ is a variable-gain cellular amplifier that extends the range to a cell tower through a more sensitive external antenna and boosting the cellular transmit power. Instead of the normal range of 5-miles or so to a cell tower,AVaiL Boost™extends the coverage of a cell tower to 20 to 30 miles depending upon topography. AVaiL Boost™ extends cellular coverage throughout the rural route delivering cost effective E-mail, VPN, and training access to the crew.
It is important to note thatAVaiL Boost™also boosts the signal for cell-phones, providing much improved coverage for all cellular devices in a vehicle.
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