Briefs: Satphone provides hot spots for responders

Eagle Broadband has expanded its line of satellite phones with a new unit that can provide a satellite "hot spot" for emergency crews at disaster scenes.

The Houston communications tech firm said Wednesday its SatMAX Alpha ECS makes it possible to quickly establish wireless satellite voice and data communications that also merges with the local land-line telco system.

The result is instant global communications without the need for line-of-sight connections.

"We wanted to add a complete, portable, all in one package, solution to our SatMAX product line to allow for quick communications in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist activity," Eagle Chief Executive Officer Dave Micek said in a news release. "During a crisis, it is critical to have the flexibility of a reliable 'deployable instantly and anywhere' phone communications system."

Alpha ECS is Iridium based, portable and resistant to adverse weather conditions. The standard minutes plan can be upgraded, Eagle said.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International