Space Data Debuts Constellation of Weather Balloons to Provide Nationwide Wireless Service
02.11.02
Info World
by Ephraim Schwartz
[excerpt]
FROM WIRELESS — repeaters floating 100,000 feet above Earth to mundane software that allows handheld users to print without cables, fully one-third of the more than 60 products at Demo 2002 in Phoenix this week will highlight wireless and mobile technology.SpaceData, in Chandler, Ariz., will announce a deal with the National Weather Service to include its wireless repeater boxes on Weather Service balloons launched every 12 hours in the United States and worldwide. When all 69 U.S. repeaters are in place, they will fill in the missing gaps in rural and suburban coverage for access to data services. SpaceData will deploy first on two-way messaging services such as SkyTel, and in time move to data services found on most handhelds such as MobiTex and Motient. Finally, it will be deployed to enhance cellular voice coverage as well.