At INTX in Boston this week, Ericsson is wheeling out a new mobile WiFi unit that reportedly can give thousands of people outdoor wireless access while on the go in cities throughout the U.S. The customized Ford Transit 350 cargo van is outfitted with six WiFi access points – which is said to be enough to serve an estimated 2,500 people attending an event.
Comcast reportedly worked with Ericsson to make the project happen, and plans to use the vans to support community activities, sporting events and emergency response initiatives.
In addition to the multiple network access connections, the van includes non-line-of-sight (NLOS) microwave backhaul, onboard backup power and modular deployment elements that enable Comcast to launch operations in minutes, according to Ericsson.
“This new rapid deployment solution will mean fast dispatch and hassle-free setup for Comcast, so they can bring coverage to new hard to reach locations,” Angel Ruiz, president and CEO at Ericsson North America, says.
Ericsson reports that the mobile nature of the solution allows it to bring rapid dispatch and deployment in disaster recovery situations, as well as support community events and special remote promotions, providing a coverage radius of up to 500 feet. It’s on display this week at INTX in Boston at Booth #341.