March 15, 2006, 8:09AM Austin plans to build free wireless network
Associated Press http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3724801.html AUSTIN Austin officials say they're working to build a wireless network that will provide free broadband Internet access throughout sections of the city. Cisco Systems Inc. is donating close to $700,000 worth of equipment to help prepare the system in anticipation of the May meeting of the World Congress of Information Technology. The system is designed to provide nearly continuous broadband access to attendees at the conference, a global information technology forum, officials said. But the city and Austin Energy, which together will build and maintain the network, will continue expanding the system once the conference is over. It will eventually provide wireless access to various city workers, academic and private researchers and the public, officials said. "This new network can help Austin in several ways: by more broadband Internet access for more citizens, by assisting some city services and by forming a test laboratory for new wireless applications, services and businesses," Mayor Will Wynn said. Glyn Meek, chief executive of the congress' Austin organization, said Internet access is crucial for the conference's delegates. "Cisco has absolutely stepped up to the plate for this, and so has the city," Meek said. "This has been a great team effort." The first stage of the wireless network will be built in the city's downtown to accommodate the technology meeting. The city plans to expand the network into parts of East Austin and to Zilker Park, linking the city's existing hot spots, officials said. Peter Collins, the city's chief information officer, said his current staff can maintain the network without additional spending. Cisco has agreed to help maintain the network for its first few years of operation, he said. ================================ George Antunes, Political Science Dept University of Houston; Houston, TX 77204 Voice: 713-743-3923 Fax: 713-743-3927 antunes at uh dot edu Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
