SAIC Gets OK to Test 4.9 GHzSAIC Gets OK to Test 4.9 GHz

SAN DIEGO -- Science Applications International Corporation's (SAIC) Telecom Services Business Unit today announced that it has been granted a new experimental license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to test fixed and mobile experimental wireless networks and client devices at 4.9 GHz.

This experimental license allows the company to conduct multi-city trials of new low cost solutions for public-sector metropolitan area networks (MANs) using technologies in the new, exclusive-use 4.9 GHz public safety band. This band is of great interest to many cities for prioritized voice, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and user terminal traffic, digitized surveillance and incident-scene video, with concurrent capacity for hazard-sensor telemetry, traffic controller and emergency call boxes.

Cities have seen the successes of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a/b/g and the emerging 802.16d/e standards and products, through the interoperability assurance of the WiFi and WiMAX consortia. Standardization of mesh network protocols, as in the draft 802.11s also is proceeding in concert with open solutions for the new band.

By adopting these standards and products for the 4.9GHz band, the public sector stands to benefit from low cost outdoor-rated infrastructure equipment adapted for the 4.9GHz band while still preserving the benefits of standards- based air protocols and high volume chipsets. It also makes feasible the blanketing of cities with multi-megabit service for a long-lived wireless system with plenty of capacity reserves for growth. This, in turn, can benefit the public through improved safety, security and reduced leased-line costs to the cities.

Traditional land mobile radio (VHF/UHF) based systems, which are moving toward improved interoperability among agencies, continue to be the lifeline for voice and low speed data. SAIC also is a key national scale contributor to work in this important area. With this new 4.9GHz license, SAIC is expanding its work in pilot projects and proof of concept on behalf of many current and future public sector customers.

Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC)