AirGATE to deliver RFID-enabled phones to U.S. prisons
There are 120,000 phones in more than 3,100 correctional facilities around the U.S., and inmates complete 750,000 collect calls daily on these phones; the prison authorities want to make sure that they know who makes what phone call, so prisoners will be equipped with RFID-equipped wristbands, and the phones will be equipped with RFID scanners
Allen, Texas-based AirGATE Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dallas, Texas-based X-Change Corporation (OTCBB: XCHC), has received an order for delivery of prototype modules and the initial 2,500 scanners for intended installation in a RFID-enabled prison-based telephone solution being developed for use in correctional facilities. During the next four years, additional orders could exceed 36,000 scanners.
AirGATE has issued a series of purchase orders for the first 2,500 scanners to Toronto, Canada-based Sirit (TSX: SI), a provider of RFID technology. The purchase orders also cover OEM development and delivery of prototypes to AirGATE. Sirit has entered into a collaboration agreement with AirGATE to provide the INfinity Micro module for use in law enforcement and homeland security applications. AirGATE has been using Sirit’s INfinity 166 module in its RFID-enabled telephone solution being developed for its technology partner to install in phones in correctional facilities nationwide.
The AirGATE system consists of scanners and RFID-enabled wristbands which identifies who is making a prison-based collect phone call. AirGATE’s marketing partner manages more than 120,000 phones in more than 3,100 correctional facilities around the United States. Inmates complete 750,000 collect calls a day on these phones.
