Metro-scale broadband networks based on Wi-Fi technologies are popping up across the country, with big and small industry players alike endorsing the systems for use by municipal entities and consumers.
Cisco Systems Inc. recently announced the Cisco Metropolitan Mobile Network solution to provide citywide broadband wireless access to public agencies including city, state and federal government; first responders; public transit; and public works groups.
Cisco’s goal is to extend wireless applications, including real-time data access and video surveillance, to improve security, productivity and operational efficiency among the agencies as well as to enable collaboration among multiple agencies, explained Ann Sun, senior manager of wireless/mobility marketing for Cisco.
The network features Cisco’s Aironet Series of Wi-Fi outdoor infrastructure and Cisco 3200 Series Routers with the new Wireless Mobile Interface Card that supports 802.11b/g for wireless local area network and wide area network access. It is designed to support multiple wireless technologies, including 802.11, cellular and satellite as well as future advancements like 4.9 GHz-based technologies.
Cook County, Ill., is among those working with Cisco to deploy the solution. In the first phase of implementation, the county has deployed 90 county and municipal vehicles equipped with Cisco’s 3200 Mobile Router, designed for in-vehicle use, and more than 80 private hot spots supported by Aironet 1300 Series Outdoor APs.
The county plans to incorporate the system with its criminal databases to enable applications for building blueprints, e-fingerprinting and other biometric devices.
The City of Westminster near London is using Cisco’s solution to battle crime. To that end, the city has placed wireless routers and access points across the city for use in video surveillance.
Offering a more consumer-oriented view of metro-scale broadband networks, the SpokaneHotZone, a municipal Wi-Fi network claiming to be the largest in the nation, was launched jointly by the City of Spokane, Vivato, OneEighty Networks, Itronix, the Downtown Spokane Partnership, Purcell Systems and WhiteRunkel.
SpokaneHotZone is actually the public domain of the community’s dual-purpose wireless network, while the private domain of the city’s network will be used for municipal purposes, including public safety, mobile workforce, security and automated parking enforcement.
The first phase of the public network covers a 100-block area downtown. Users can receive two hours of free wireless Internet access per day, and by the end of the year, additional hours should be available with the purchase of day passes or monthly subscriptions.
“The SpokaneHotZone gives us a distinct advantage over other communities that aren’t using these new technologies as an economic development tool,” said Spokane Mayor James West.
Similarly, the technology committee of the Manchester, N.H., Chamber of Commerce last week said it is preparing to unveil a wireless network to cover its downtown.
The city is working with Signull Technologies to deploy the network by installing infrastructure on rooftops of key downtown buildings. The service is scheduled to become available July 12, and consumer and business users will receive one free hour of wireless service per day.
Meanwhile, hotels continue to be a prime target for Wi-Fi implementations.
BT Syntegra recently launched a managed Wi-Fi service for North American hotels, playing on the need for hoteliers to use Wi-Fi capabilities in an effort to promote their own brand, rather than the brand of the Wi-Fi service provider.
“Wi-Fi is an important extension of a hotelier’s brand, enabling the promotion of loyalty programs as well as repeat visits to other locations and special offers,” explained Paul Harrison, vice president of BT Syntegra’s travel and leisure North America division. “When the service works, guests will associate this with the provider but when it does not, a guest will usually remember the hotel brand for providing an unreliable service.”
BT Syntegra said its solution includes offering hoteliers strategic advice and practical implementation skills to get the most from Wi-Fi technology. The company charges a monthly fee for the services.
In other hotel-related Wi-Fi news, Wayport announced the launch of CyberCenter, a solution that provides high-speed Internet access and business services for meeting attendees.
CyberCenters feature kiosks with notebook computers or cubicles with high-speed Internet connections for guests with their own computers, printing capabilities and an on-site Wayport data support specialist. The services will be offered free to meeting attendees.
CyberCenters have been launched in 15 hotels, and Wayport plans to open additional locations in coming months.
Wayport also announced its contract with Wyndham International hotels has been renewed for the next three years. Wayport provides high-speed Internet service in 85 Wyndham properties in the United States.
