IBM heads WiMAX deployment in Texas

The city of Brownsville, Texas, has tapped IBM Corp. to build a $4 million citywide WiMAX network.
The network will be used by police and fire departments as well as residents, and will support data, voice and video applications. A nonprofit group will be established to provide high-speed wireless access to “geographically dispersed and economically diverse end users.”
Rioplex Wireless, a South Texas mobile broadband company, will maintain the three-tower network. IBM will also help the city develop and implement a disaster-recovery plan.
“We’re growing at a record pace, and the best way for Brownsville to provide city services is by embracing new technology,” said Charlie Cabler, Brownsville’s city manager. “We’ll see a wide range of improvements with this modernization effort ranging from local police getting wireless access to criminal databases, providing more knowledge in the field, to our citizens being able to more quickly apply for building permits and inspections online instead of through the mail or at a city office.”