A specially equipped shipping container that can be used as a mobile networking hub is being marketed by Cisco to telecommunications companies and government disaster response agencies.
Called the Cisco Express Network on Wheels, the 40-foot, 20-ton container highlights the network equipment maker’s latest technologies and can connect to other networks via satellite or a hard-wired connection.
In Thailand, Cisco customized the mobile network hub into an emergency response system for use by the Thai government, said Christian Hentschel, director for Cisco’s commercial business for the Asia Pacific region.
In the US, Cisco has deployed the system for use by state police and universities.

“Intelligence comes from the applications that run on the infrastructure,” Hentschel said during the unveiling of the Cisco Express held at the Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. “In the US, for example, the system links police radio networks with an IP network.”
Cisco’s local team is demonstrating the system before the National Disaster Coordinating Council, in the hope of having it deployed in a manner similar to the way it was used in Thailand.
Hentschel added that the Cisco Express can be customized to fit other market segments like education.
Cisco also announced it is building another truck to be deployed by the middle of the month. Cisco said it has invested more than $1 million in the system with the help of partners like EMC, Panduit and Emerson Power.
The truck recently began its five-city tour in the country, following similar road shows in Malaysia and Thailand. It is expected to visit 30 cities in the Asia Pacific region.