November 15, 2018
The Safe Zone Siren
French telecommunication company Alcatel-Lucent is aiming to break into the US internet and phone service markets with its lightRadio device. The lightRadio technology will directly compete with Yamagato Industries GhostNet and afford considerably broader coverage. Roughly the size of a Rubik's cube, each lightRadio unit is a remarkable display of miniaturization that supports Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, and 4G connectivity over up to a two-block radius while being highly energy-efficient. This service is based on a high-speed mesh network that is self-configuring and robust to interruption. In addition to the New York Safe Zone, cities targeted for the initial rollout include Kansas City, Albany, and Detroit, with more to be added after the turn of the year.
Two models of the lightRadio will be available: client units that are optimized for user connectivity, and slightly larger node units that also supply part of the network backbone. Although the node unit hardware will be more expensive up front, Alcatel Lucent has stated that early adopters of node units will receive a deep discount on their service plan. The lightRadio is expected to retail at stores throughout the NYSZ beginning Nov. 26, just in time for Black Friday shoppers.