Optus is helping the ACT Department of Urban Services to prevent crime by supplying Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology to support new crime fighting software.

Urban Services is trialing access to the first phase of their new registration and licensing application called rego.act, which will help significantly increase ACT law enforcement officers chances of identifying stolen vehicles.

Frank Daly, Project Director of rego.act said the new software runs over a small handheld Compaq iPac connected to a Motorola GPRS-enabled mobile phone.

"This will give police officers, parking inspectors and on-road vehicle inspectors access to ACT vehicle registration and driver licensing information in the field.

"Once logged into the system, officers can obtain information on a vehicle within five seconds. This means police officers can identify stolen vehicles on the spot, whereas previously they had to radio back to the base for the information.

"This technology has the potential to curb the stolen vehicle market in the ACT, as well as giving police officers more time on the beat, due to less administration requirements," Mr Daly said.

Peter Acheson, Director Business Mobile for Optus said this was just one example of the innovative ways organisations were taking advantage of the latest in mobile technology.

"The beauty of this solution is that ACT law enforcement will be able to get the information they need when they need it - wirelessly.

"Every day we put WAP and GPRS on the streets - delivering information faster, increasing productivity and saving money," Mr Acheson said.

"The faster download speeds of GPRS at up to 30kb/s makes it ideal technology to transmit important data to people working in the field.

"In addition, because GPRS is a packet-based technology, just like the internet, it makes it easier to run Internet Protocol software programs over the mobile network," he said.

These devices are currently being trialed by the Department of Urban Services and if proven successful, the service will be extended to more officers in the Australian Federal Police, Parking Operations and Road User Services.

For more information please contact:
Louise Ingram
Optus
Tel: (02) 9342 5042

Natelie Soltszewski
Department of Urban Affairs
Tel: (02) 6207 6357