Both InformationWeek and Network World covered the release of a new report announced yesterday by ABI Research on the opportunity that the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) affords to wireless communications equipment vendors. According to ABI, the $6.8 billion worth of funding for wireless communications upgrades and new deployments for the remainder of this year and 2010 have the potential to impact not only the Wi-Fi and wireless broadband vendors themselves, but also a wide range of vertical industries, including healthcare and the environment.
While the bill isn’t specific about which technologies the money should go toward, tech companies and service providers have an opportunity to apply for grants administered by both the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
ABI cites communications systems that link health networks, Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices and video surveillance systems, telepresence, and wireless LAN equipment as potential technologies where wireless could see the most traction within the healthcare industry, while wireless sensor technology enabling building automation stands to gain a boost from the stimulus package’s green buildings initiative.
See ABI’s “The 2009 Federal Stimulus Bill” for more.