Canadian supplier ACT did not state which underground operation in West Virginia would receive the 50-node network, but said it would be the largest underground Wi-Fi network installed anywhere that was approved by the US Mine Safety and Health Administration.

ACT also said it would be the first time a coal operation had deployed a full Wi-Fi standards-based communications network when the system was installed next month.

“ActiveMine’s open standard frees mines from being locked into proprietary and antiquated wired networks,” said ACT president Steve Barrett.

The new system will replace the mine’s pre-MSHA approved ActiveMine device, which has been in use in a non-gassy area since last May.

Barrett also updated the status of still-pending federal approval for the telephone portion of ActiveMine, noting ACT expected approval soon.

Earlier this month, ACT unveiled a partner certification for its communications and tracking system to ensure network compatibility and continued compliance with federal mandates.

“No longer do multiple, separate networks have to be installed for voice, data, video, carbon monoxide monitoring and belt monitoring,” Barrett said at the time.

“With ActiveMine, operators can install a single, robust wireless network to support all applications and be fully confident they will operate compatibly.”

He added the ActiveMine system would allow mines to use off-the-shelf Wi-Fi equipment.

In February, just after ActiveMine received its MSHA approval, ACT released its ActiveVision network operations service to the US market.

The product has 24/7 support to provide diagnostics and troubleshooting to mines in real time while tracking and storing operational statistics.