San Diego, CA - Venture Design Services Inc. and Helicomm Inc. announced today the MineTracerTM Text-Messaging Location Transponder (TMLT) has been approved for use in underground mines by the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).  With this approval, the MineTracerTM system addresses both the communications and tracking provisions of the MINER Act of 2006.

"This handheld device provides wireless two-way communications for every miner," said Jim Barrett, Venture Design R&D Manager. "The MineTracerTM network has the capacity for all miners underground to communicate to the surface simultaneously which is important during an emergency event."

Mine operators required to comply with the MINER Act of 2006 now have access to two-way wireless communications and tracking capability integrated into a single system.  Maintenance for operators is simplified in that only one system needs to be installed and monitored.

"We've been using MineTracer for safety monitoring in our mine since August of 2007," said Mona Marcum, Safety Director for Southern West Virginia Resources. "I know where our miners are at all times. Now, we'll have wireless communications with our underground personnel."

MineTracerTM provides location information for miners and assets underground during everyday operations and more importantly provides continuous communications and tracking information for days in the event of an accident when power is shut off to the mine.

With the certification by MSHA, operators can install MineTracerTM systems with no contingencies (pending MSHA approval) attached.  The West Virginia state functionality requirements and federal safety requirements have been satisfied for every component of the MineTracerTM system. 

"MSHA's approval of the TMLT is an affirmation that the MineTracerTM development team's efforts of the last few years have been successful," said Ken Hill, Helicomm's director of sales. "We will now focus on integrating productivity features to help accelerate the return of a MineTracerTM investment."

Additional information about MineTracer?can be found at www.MineTracer.com or from Service Pump and Supply of Huntington, West Virginia.

About Venture Design Services

With R&D facilities in Liberty Lake, WA, and Santa Rosa, CA, Venture Design Services, Inc. (VDSI) develops wireless communications products and systems focusing on remote sensor networks and data collection. VDSI's parent company, Venture Corporation, Ltd., is a leading global electronics manufacturing and engineering design services company. www.minetracer.com

About Helicomm

Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Helicomm is a leading provider of voice and data wireless networks to improve tracking, management and communication of assets by providing wireless networking solutions built upon the IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee) and IPv6 global standards for reliable, secure, low-power, cost-effective wireless networks. www.helicomm.com.

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For further information, contact:

Helicomm, Inc.

Ken Hill

+1 858 638 0850

media@helicomm.com