Wi-Fi signal, no matter what: Redmond using new tech to ensure connectivity in disasters

REDMOND, Wash. — During a disaster like an earthquake or a wildfire, one of the first things that can disappear is cellphone service.

But a Redmond-based company called Kymeta is making sure first responders can stay connected by developing a technology that could save lives.

The device, called the Kymeta U8 Terminal, is about the size of two large pizza boxes stacked on top of each other and can be mounted to any car. It hooks up directly to the car battery and connects to satellites and cell towers to generate a Wi-Fi signal.

It’s something the Redmond Police Department and areas of the U.S. Forest Service are already using in case of a major disaster.

Kymeta provided a video that shows one of its devices mounted on a Redmond fire truck being tested in a citywide emergency response exercise called Operation Cascadia Rising.

“Cascadia Rising simulated a significant earthquake with significant infrastructure damage,” said Darrell Lowe, the Redmond police chief.

During that emergency response preparation last year, Redmond worked to figure out how first responders would communicate if something knocked out cell towers.

“Communication systems can easily get overwhelmed in disasters,” Lowe said. “You also have the general public trying to access those same systems,” he said.

Now the police department has one of the units mounted on its mobile command unit and recently brought the unit out during protests in Redmond.

“It could be utilized for day-to-day operation in remote locations or even in dead spots within a police municipality,” Lowe said.

Kymeta’s faster model, the U8, just launched for commercial use at the end of November. The new device can more quickly scan for different satellites and cell towers and puts out a stronger signal.

“This is brand-new stuff; this is cutting edge,” said Ben Posthuma, connectivity solutions manager with Kymeta. “Now we have a much better opportunity to connect all over the world,” he said.

KIRO 7 went on a ride-along to see the tech in action. As you drive, an app shows the device on top of the vehicle beaming to a satellite, establishing the connection. It simultaneously connects with cell towers to provide a faster signal when available.

The device is basically a plug-and-play directly to your car’s battery power, no inverter needed.

The signal’s reach is about 100 yards, but certain modifications with cellular networks can boost the Wi-Fi signal to about a half-mile.

The company stated it’s tested the devices all over the country, including remote areas.

“We’re connected more than 99% of the time on network,” Posthuma said. He added that the device does not work as well in very far north areas, such as Canada or Alaska. “All the satellites we connect to orbit around the equator. So as you go further north, you have to look further and further down, and it starts to become problematic to look at very low angles,” he said.

Kymeta’s technology is already being used by organizations, such as the U.S. Forest Service and multiple fire departments in California.

“The recent wildfires — in that particular circumstance, you had cell towers in remote areas that were impacted, which then impacted the entire system,” Lowe said.

“To have an option like this available is critically important — not just for first response. To let your family know that you’re OK. This particular solution allows for that,” Lowe said.

Kymeta stated it’s already in talks with other area first responder agencies — and all over the world.

As technology improves, the software in a device gets updated, much like your iPhone installing a new iOS. When asked about cost, Kymeta stated the device is priced in the “low tens of thousands” or on a subscription basis of about $1,000 a month.

Cox Media Group