Tropos Networks Inc. will supply equipment to enable Verge Wireless Networks Inc.’s metro-scale Wi-Fi network in downtown Baton Rouge, La.
The Tropos system works like a mesh network in which Wi-Fi cells communicate with each other, creating paths back to just one wired node as opposed to requiring a backhaul access point for each Wi-Fi access point. “Mesh technology allows us to deploy these antennas in an area without having to put a backhaul on them,” explained Carlo MacDonald, president of 802.11b provider Verge. The system, therefore, cuts installation and operational costs for service providers.
Downtown Baton Rouge is undergoing revitalization efforts. A new convention center is being built, as well as hotels and casinos, which makes it an ideal location for Tropos’ network, MacDonald said. Verge plans to target law firms, government agencies, public-safety and private companies based in the city as paying customers, enabling it to offer free Wi-Fi service to visitors to the city.
Verge also plans to expand in the future to offer similar services in other cities, including New Orleans, where it has investigated installing wireless security cameras. The company also plans to create customized wireless applications for end users. The Tropos network will be accessible to Wi-Fi-enabled devices through a free online portal featuring downtown Baton Rouge. The portal will include advertising space, another potential revenue stream for Verge.
Tropos unveiled its business plan in May and said then it had deployed the system for use in several municipal public-safety sites and for service providers, including Coastside Net, which is using Tropos products to provide wireless “hot zone” service in downtown Half Moon Bay, Calif., where it is headquartered. In June, Tropos received an investment from the Intel Communications Fund as part of Intel Corp.’s $150 million commitment to invest in companies accelerating the adoption of Wi-Fi wireless networks. RCR
