m processors, further simplifying the technology and reducing cost. Vanu is demonstrating the technology in two rural Texas communities: De Leon in Comanche County and Gorman in Eastland County. When the test ends, sometime in 2004, the technology will remain as a cellular infrastructure run by Mid-Tex Cellular. Although the software currently runs on large servers, the product can also be used on a variety of ordinary desktop computers. This attribute will allow service providers to install the software on low-priced systems. Even an off- the-shelf PC can run the software, notes Chapin, although it wouldn't be able to handle a large number of customers. The software's portable design also allows it to easily adapt to hardware upgrades. The software has carried phone calls since it was installed in the Texas towns in June 2003. Vanu's researchers are now tracking how many calls are suc- cessfully handled through the system, how well mobile phones can communi- cate with other mobile phones, and how well mobile phones can communicate with landline phones. In the years ahead, large carriers could use the software to establish base station hotels or to upgrade and condense their existing equipment. Addi- tionally, the technology will allow service providers to more efficiently use their portion of the radio frequency spectrum and to quickly adjust to fre- quency and bandwidth modifications. NUTS AND BITS-TELECOM HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND MORE 2.15.1 Boosting Mobile Phone Range A new base station remote control system aims to increase the range of mobile phones and also potentially save service operator costs related to operating and repairing defective base station units. The recent explosive growth in mobile phones has been accompanied by a parallel growth in the underlying networks of base stations used to connect calls. This trend has created headaches for network administrators charged with keeping an increasing number of base stations active at all times. Now, a new power and management device is designed to allow