(This update, based on a corporate news release, is being included in Computing News at the request of the Lab's Networking and Telecommunications Department.)

Ricochet Networks, Inc. recently initiated a technical trial of the Ricochet high-speed, wireless Internet access network in Denver, Colorado. Working with the City and County of Denver's Office of Information Technology, the Company plans to test the technical capabilities of the Ricochet network in part of downtown Denver. In the first trial since bankrupt former owner Metricom shut down the network last year, Ricochet will test and evaluate the Ricochet network as an initial step in reactivating the service. Ricochet is now owned by Aerie Networks, headquartered in Denver.

The purpose of the Ricochet test network is to facilitate emergency preparedness and application trials by various city and county of Denver departments. In addition, the Ricochet network will undergo engineering and operational tests. The trial network is expected to be in place for several months before it is moved into commercial operation. Company officials called the trial effort "a crucial step in reactivating the Ricochet service."

Under previous ownership, the Ricochet network had been built in 21 cities, operated in 14 of those cities and had more than 51,000 subscribers. Ricochet is actively seeking partners and resellers to help turn the service back on where it once existed and to install new networks in areas where affordable, broadband access is currently unavailable.