Bechtel Telecommunications And Idaho National Engineering And Environmental Lab Collaborate On Testi

The agreement marks the first collaboration for telecommunications projects between Bechtel Telecommunications, one of the world's leading telecommunications engineering, construction, and project management firms, and INEEL, a multiprogram national laboratory owned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). INEEL has nationally recognized R&D capabilities, including supercomputer research work performed in support of DOE missions. The collaboration includes performing both independent and commercial research on evolving telecommunications standards and technologies for Bechtel 's telecom customers and their vendors.

Research and testing at the INEEL facility will be conducted in cooperation with the Bechtel Telecoms Training, Demonstration and Research (TDR) lab. The TDR lab is located at Bechtel Telecommunications headquarters in Frederick, Maryland. The new, state-of-the-art lab will be fully operational in September.
"This agreement with INEEL enables us to offer our customers and their vendors advanced technologies testing and research that cannot be duplicated at other labs," said George Conniff, president of Bechtel Telecommunications.

Under the agreement, Bechtel will design and build a 3G wireless network test bed at the INEEL facility for wireless operators to perform extensive operational tests of 3G systems prior to market deployment. INEEL's expertise in data network security will be available to Bechtel and its customers for testing of various types of industry security technologies and methodologies, from intrusion protection systems and new encryption methods to cyber security.

"This collaboration is a natural expansion of the Laboratory's extensive information security program," said INEEL president Bernie Meyers. "We have been working with government agencies and universities in this vital area. Now we can use our expertise and extensive facilities to support moving this knowledge into the private sector."

Bechtel and INEEL also will conduct specialized independent research for new products and technologies, such as powerline technology. Bechtel is currently negotiating to be the first company to conduct large-scale testing and analysis of Ambient Corporation's (OTC Bulletin Board: ABTG) proprietary Powerline technology at INEEL facilities. Ambient's proposed technology will provide high-speed Internet access and telecom services over electric utility lines.

Bechtel plans to use the INEEL power distribution grid, which encompasses 54 labs, to test the functionality, modem connectivity, and other aspects of Ambient's proposed communication infrastructure. Bechtel and INEEL also would work with Ambient to conduct radio frequency emissions tests required by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines.

Bechtel Telecommunications has been providing construction and project management services to leading telecom carriers and service providers since 1969.

About INEEL

INEEL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to meeting national environmental, energy, nuclear technology, and national security needs. Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC, operates INEEL in partnership with the Inland Northwest Research Alliance of seven prominent universities. INEEL is one of the Department of Energy's 9 multiprogram national laboratories. Headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the lab covers 890 square miles, an area roughly 85 percent the size of Rhode Island. It employs 6,000 people, with some 2,700 scientific, engineering and professional experts.