Where’s The GPS? And Power Lines To The Sun?

Just had to put this post together after reading an enticing press release about a pet idea of mine, wide-area outdoor WiFi to provide high-bandwidth integrated communication.  There are many things I like about this project, especially including the reality that came knocking by default … the customer never gave a thought to the idea that they can easily communicate with many disparate agencies using WiFi .. when, in the typical case of Motorola’s strangle-hold on first responders it takes a million bucks and a year of negotiations before a transit agency could talk to a Marine base … just one of the great things being overlooked by the industry-wide tendency to marginalize outdoor WiFi.

But if you read the press release carefully you’ll find a couple strange things to ponder upon.

First, even though this system is implemented for communication with fast moving commuter trains there doesn’t seem to be any provision for accurate GPS tracking of the train’s locations.  Perhaps it is in here somewhere, but the writer surely didn’t think to mention it.

Secondly, I loved the statement tat since the system was 100% solar powered it would have near-total availability.  Influenced by the guidance from our Saudi hand-holding oil entrepreneur President, supported by massive oil company contributors, we, in the US, are seriously under-estimating the value of solar.  Here, I thought, is a great illustration of how we should be doing it.

Then I read the paragraph describing the implementation that including the saga of the team having to invest time and effort in “…that included setting up poles and getting power for the signaling equipment.”   Hello?  Hello?  The sun shines every day, even above the clouds.

Whatever is the point in buying a solar-powered system and then having the safety of the whole venture compromised by commercial power?  Sounds really, really dumb to me … anyone out there familiar with this effort?