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Sidebar: A call for wireless

By John Moore

Government agencies are expanding their use of mobile and wireless technologies for everything from simple connectivity devices to mission-critical networks.

Shawn McCarthy, director of research for Government Vendor Programs at IDC’s Government Insights, said he sees strong interest in cell phone attachments for laptop PCs. Such products let users connect to the Internet via cell phone.

“We see more going that way than WiMax and other networking options,” McCarthy said.

Verizon’s Mobile Office Kit provides one example of an attachment product; it sells for around $40.

Government organizations pursue higher-end mobile and wireless endeavors, too. "There is a need out there for what we call mission-critical applications in a mobile environment,” said Mark Adams, chief architect of Networks and Communications at Northrop Grumman Information Technology.

The infrastructure available to support such applications might be limited, but some jurisdictions are creating their own. Northrop Grumman is building a dedicated system for New York City, Adams said.

Under a $500 million contract, the company will provide a broadband public safety wireless network.