June 23, 2011:  The U.S. Air Force has purchased 300 Sectéra Edge smartphones for senior commanders. This $3,000 cell phone can handle GSM, CDMA or Wi-Fi connections, and much more. Most importantly, it can provide highly encrypted data and voice communications with any device that is also able to handle the encryption. The 342 gr (12 ounce) device is ruggedized, has a Blackberry type keyboard and a 2.8 inch color display. Software includes a browser and email, plus viewers for Word, Excel, Powerpoint, PDF and WordPad documents, as well as pictures and videos. The phone can operate on classified (including SIPRNET) and unclassified networks.

Phones like this are increasingly common for senior officers and battlefield commanders. The government gets discounts for large quantity purchases.