All,
Yes I know posted below is yet another press release on a MuniWiFi
popping up. Since the RFP's are being issued fast and furious recently
you cannot read the news without running across another MuniWifi press
release. I do feel there is too much emphasis placed on the Wifi access
provided to the public. According to a recent study just under 50% of
these networks actually provide access to the public. There are way more
uses for these networks but those services do not get as much publicity
as they deserve. In my opinion that is part of the reason for resistance
among some providers. Fortunately though Public Safety is getting more
recognition than it used to. Maybe there is hope after all.
On a side note I do wish they would not compare the speed of the network
to dial up. To me it's like saying "this car goes 100X faster then walking".
Well, that is enough rambling from me for now. ;-)
Regards,
Dawn DiPietro
Monday, January 22, 2007
Riverside, California: Rides Wi-Fi Wave to Future Growth
Multi-Layer Wireless Access Network Extends border-to-border over City's
86 square miles
Riverside, Calif. (January 22, 2007) -- Riverside, California wants to
be known as a city in the digital age and the leader in technology
deployment.
Call it a municipal status symbol, but when Phase I of a three-phase
rollout becomes available in early February 2007, the City of Riverside
will blanket its entire 86 square miles with free wireless Internet
network, giving the City an entirely new identity as one of the most
wired - or unwired - municipalities in the state of California.
The robust network, built by AT&T, is also the largest planned to date
for public use by residents (2.4 GHz) and businesses as well as for City
municipal use and public-safety communications (4.9 GHz). Riverside
officials hope that making high-speed Internet as accessible as water or
electricity across its borders will attract more technology and biotech
companies - and the young, upwardly mobile employees they bring.
"We are willing to take the necessary steps so that companies, investors
and workers identify us as a progressive municipality that fully
supports the growth and success of firms that do business here," said
Steve Reneker, Chief Information Officer, City of Riverside. Access
points will be placed at the rate of 30-35 per square mile with each
having a range of approximately 1,000 feet depending on topography. The
City will transform all of its 86 square miles into WI-FI hot spots by
installing more than 1,000 cell points on street lights, traffic
signals, and City facilities (so areas further than 1,000 feet from any
of these may have limited to no access).
Speeds will vary based on the location of access (outside versus inside
and proximity to an access point). Average speeds are expected to be
512Kbps, which is 10 times faster that a 56Kbps dial up connection many
of our households still use. Currently, the City runs a free wireless
network, but it is limited to 35 blocks in the downtown district.
Riverside's WI-FI project is designed to benefit local merchants looking
to attract residents who eat or shop anywhere in the City and still want
access to e-mail, work projects or the Internet. Additionally, it will
also enable companies and residents looking for more cost-effective
Internet service providers to consider this free wireless network. A
range of ad-free, paid subscription options, including day passes and
monthly subscriptions will also be available with speeds of up to 1
Megabit per second (Mbps). Final details on the service packages and
pricing will be announced at the launch of the service.
According to the report, "California Cybercities 2006", published by the
American Electronics Association, the Riverside-San Bernardino County
area was recognized as the second fastest growing high-technology center
in California. It also ranked seventh in highest concentration of
high-tech jobs in the state, with nearly 21,400 high-tech jobs in the
Region.
"As more cities strive to be cutting edge and use the Internet as an
economic development tool, few have been unable to execute," added
Reneker. "Making strategic investments in programs that create a more
business- and tech-friendly environment definitely demonstrate the
City's commitment to nurturing and growing the technology sector."
Reneker also noted that technology will play an important role in the
City's future prosperity and renaissance, particularly as it relates to
the Wi-Fi popularity as a way to "experience the momentum" of the
downtown Riverside area.
"Riverside is leading the effort in the Inland Empire to provide its
residents and businesses with full access," said Reneker. "This network
will definitely make our City more attractive for high-tech businesses."
The mesh network of Internet access points covering the City of
Riverside border-to-border is part of the ongoing effort to promote
economic growth and expand business. The WI-FI network is just one of
many in a series of initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining
high-technology businesses. The City's total investment for the build
out of the Wi-Fi network will exceed $8.8 million.
"If cities want to be vibrant and attractive to workers, companies and
their visitors," Reneker said, "they should concentrate on making life
better for families that live and work there and provide services that
residents expect from their municipalities."
The City of Riverside plans to potentially use its new WI-FI network for
a variety of uses including public safety mobile data and video;
managing traffic and parking systems; security monitoring; remote access
to lighting controls; automated tracking of city vehicles; as well as
code enforcement and building inspections.
The City of Riverside, Calif. was recently named one of America's Most
Digital Cities for 2006. The Center for Digital Government ranked the
City of Riverside #10 in populations of 250,000 or greater. The study
examines how city governments utilize digital technologies to better
serve their citizens and streamline operations.
For more information on the City of Riverside’s multi-layered wireless
access network, contact Greg Lee, Business Development Coordinator, City
of Riverside, at 951-826-5145.
About Riverside
Recognized as one of America's top five "Hottest Large Cities" (1),
Riverside is a diverse, urban center situated in the heart of Southern
California. With a population of nearly 300,000, it is the county seat
of the 7,000-square-mile Riverside County. Riverside is the largest city
in the Inland Empire, one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in
the United States, and the 12th largest city in the state. Its many
resources include the world famous Mission Inn Hotel, a city-wide
wireless Internet network initiative and four institutions of higher
learning, with a student population of more than 40,000. The largest,
the University of California-Riverside, is the fastest growing campus in
the UC system and its well-endowed research program has significant
potential to benefit Riverside's high-tech economy in the years ahead.
In 2005, Riverside had a job base of over 160,000 people and was
recently ranked sixth for job growth (2).
1 Inc. Magazine, May 2006
2 Forbes 2006
Submitted by Rick Christopher, Amies Communications
------------------------------------
Posted at
http://www.inlandempire.us/news/2007/01/riverside-california-rides-wi-fi-wave.html
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