iPackets International Inc. (IPKL)

[IamtheWalrus]

Dear Mr. Kohler,

Have you ever looked into iPMine as a wireless communications device for mine safety? The product is held by a company called iPackets International. Their website is easily accessible through the internet. I have plenty of family members that have or is currently miners in the Appalachian basin and it would be very pertinent to check out their product, if you haven't already.

Thanks for your time.

Kenneth Palmer

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Wireless Mining communications
Date: May 30, 2007 7:38:59 AM PDT
To:

Mr. Palmer,

Dr. Kohler forwarded your inquiry to me for response. NIOSH has been actively evaluating wireless mining communications technologies since the passage of the MINER Act which requires wireless communications in all underground coal mines by June 2009. Using funds provided by an Emergency Supplementary Appropriations, we have issued two requests for proposals (RFP) for the design and demonstration of wireless communication systems. Here is a link that you can follow to download the RFPs if you are interested.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/mineract/requestsforproposals.htm

Based on a thorough review of the competitive proposals, we have made two contract awards for design and demonstration of wireless systems. In addition to that we have released a Broad Agency Announcement, which is also available on the same link, that provides an opportunity for companies to propose novel ideas for communications systems and other mine safety technology.

We have evaluated many wireless technologies and products in this process and continue to work at making technologies available that will make underground mines a safer place to work. Unfortunately, I can not disclose which specific companies we have and have not looked at; but rest assured we have solicited information from every source that we can and will continue to do so.

All of us here at the NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health are dedicated to making the lives of miners safer and healthier, and we appreciate your input.

Regards,

David Snyder
NIOSH
Senior Mine Electrical Engineer