Wireless communication technology and services throughout the United States has gone through significant changes over the last several years. The largest fundamental shift in wireless messaging occurred at the time in which wireless network operators for paging (WebLink Wireless, Arch Communications, SkyTel, etc.) , cellular (Nextel, etc.) and data (Nextel, Motient, Mobitex, etc.) enhanced their networks to support two-way data communications with commercial hand held devices. The modification from merely sending out text alerts (messages, alarms, thresholds, e-mail notification, stocks, news, weather, sports, etc.) to an interactive environment (responding to and initiating mobile e-mail, responding to and initiating alerts or alarms, actual stock trading, etc.) created a fundamental shift in wireless text and data messaging.
For example, early wireless solutions enabled a computer network administrator to receive a simple page that would inform them if a particular server on their network was running low on disk space (1991). Today, a network administrator can receive the same messages via an advanced mobile device but now take virtual control over the server by sending back wireless commands to resolve the problem remotely (2001). These new capabilities by the wireless service providers were not overlooked by the investment community, who rushed to fund hundreds of start-up software companies focusing on virtually every aspect of Internet/Wireless interaction and technology. Applications were designed to enhance virtually every business software program on the market that had a mobile work force attached to it (including many emergency service organizations).
There are now hundreds of different wireless products in use by virtually every emergency service organization in the United States using a wide range of devices and wireless service providers. This ranges from the basic use of cell phones and one-way alphanumeric pagers for receiving alerts to proprietary advanced two-way messaging and voice portal technology applications. For example, the State Highway Administration of Maryland uses simple one-way wireless technology by paging groups of emergency service personnel with freeway exit numbers and the degree of emergency reported (Exit 210; Level = High). Rapid development in local law enforcement has now made available handheld wireless technology (Hewlett Packard, etc.) as a means to look up public and private records of individuals or suspects while working in the field (pictures in full color).