Search Articles
Reproduction permitted for personal use only. For reprints and reprint permission, contact reprints@wistechnology.com.
Milwaukee Wi-Fi provider ready to start building network
March 24, 2006
Milwaukee, Wis. — Installation work on Milwaukee's Wi-Fi network could begin in a matter of weeks, representatives of the City of Milwaukee and Midwest Fiber Networks said Thursday.
The company is working out final contractual details with the city, which last month selected Midwest Fiber to build and maintain a citywide wireless data network. As soon as the ink is dry on the agreements, "equipment will be mounted on poles almost immediately," according to Donna Raffaelli, one of three principal owners of Midwest Fiber. "Our intention is to bring technology here that is well planned out and upgradable."
The network, which will require an estimated 3,000 to 3,200 antennas citywide, is expected to take 18 months to complete. Midwest Fiber plans to invest between $20 and $25 million in the network, which will be built at no cost to city taxpayers. The monthly cost to subscribers will be approximately $20.
As part of the city's effort to bridge the "digital divide," it will include a "walled garden" of free access to selected sites, including those disseminating information about public services.
Raffaelli appeared at a luncheon of the Milwaukee Interactive Marketing Association with fellow owner Nik Ivancevic and the city's chief technology officer, Randy Gschwind. The city, which did not seek bids through a request for proposals, will have Midwest Fiber build the infrastructure and lease "air time" to Internet service providers.
Rather than focus on different flavors of Wi-Fi, Gschwind said the key is to build a scalable, upgradable network that responds to changing technology. "Midwest Fiber will have to upgrade the system every 18 months," he said, "just to keep up with the changes."
The company is working out final contractual details with the city, which last month selected Midwest Fiber to build and maintain a citywide wireless data network. As soon as the ink is dry on the agreements, "equipment will be mounted on poles almost immediately," according to Donna Raffaelli, one of three principal owners of Midwest Fiber. "Our intention is to bring technology here that is well planned out and upgradable."
The network, which will require an estimated 3,000 to 3,200 antennas citywide, is expected to take 18 months to complete. Midwest Fiber plans to invest between $20 and $25 million in the network, which will be built at no cost to city taxpayers. The monthly cost to subscribers will be approximately $20.
As part of the city's effort to bridge the "digital divide," it will include a "walled garden" of free access to selected sites, including those disseminating information about public services.
Raffaelli appeared at a luncheon of the Milwaukee Interactive Marketing Association with fellow owner Nik Ivancevic and the city's chief technology officer, Randy Gschwind. The city, which did not seek bids through a request for proposals, will have Midwest Fiber build the infrastructure and lease "air time" to Internet service providers.
Rather than focus on different flavors of Wi-Fi, Gschwind said the key is to build a scalable, upgradable network that responds to changing technology. "Midwest Fiber will have to upgrade the system every 18 months," he said, "just to keep up with the changes."
Comments
Markus responded 3 years ago: #1
Does this mean Madison is ahead of Milwaukee on this latest soon to be outdated technology trend?
Mary Glass responded 3 years ago: #2
INNER CITY BENEFITS ISSUES
Campaign Neighborhood - CFNBA is concerned that the residential, commercial, and institutional stakeholders of the Inner City are not "left out".
Too often, Milwaukeeans of the Inner City are the source of federal government funding and policies for projects but are "left out" of quality-of-life and economic development opportunities that would strengthen the infrastructure of People of Color and Working Poor areas. It is evident by the ongoing 60% unemployment rate in the Inner City.
Gainful employment and information sharing are major factors to curb crime and safety issues; as well as improve image for business development.
Four (4) key areas of the Midwest Fiber Works WI-FI project are:
1. EMPLOYMENT of residential stakeholders/taxpayers from the Inner City.
2. VENDOR/SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS services from the Inner City.
3. MENTORSHIP/TRAINING of individuals from the Inner City.
4. Signature Plan Business Center, Technology & Resource Center. To help close the "digital divide" and improve the infrastructure of the Inner City, Campaign Neighborhood - CFNBA launched the 5-Year Signature Plan (2005-2010). One of its outcome is to create four (4) Business Center, Technology and Resource Centers within a 4-mile by 3-mile radius that is bound by:
Capitol Drive/NORTH, State Street/SOUTH, 60th Street/WEST and Holton-Van Buren/EAST.
This is a densely populated area (approximately 250, 000) that is significantly handicapped due to the lack of online options and opportunities.
This project can help Inner City commercial stakeholders become more informed, competitive, efficient, cost-worthy, cost-efficient and productive.
Some benefits for residential stakeholders include:
* cost-effective and more efficient services by city government.
* more informed citizenry.
* access to local-global opportunities and options.
* help level the playing field for neighborhood "net worth".
* help level the playing field for commercial stakeholders to compete in the marketplace.
* state-of-the-art information sharing.
Submitted by:
Mary Glass, Chair/CEO
Campaign Neighborhood - CFNBA
Website: urbanicongroup.biz
Telephone: 414/271-5771
Campaign Neighborhood - CFNBA is concerned that the residential, commercial, and institutional stakeholders of the Inner City are not "left out".
Too often, Milwaukeeans of the Inner City are the source of federal government funding and policies for projects but are "left out" of quality-of-life and economic development opportunities that would strengthen the infrastructure of People of Color and Working Poor areas. It is evident by the ongoing 60% unemployment rate in the Inner City.
Gainful employment and information sharing are major factors to curb crime and safety issues; as well as improve image for business development.
Four (4) key areas of the Midwest Fiber Works WI-FI project are:
1. EMPLOYMENT of residential stakeholders/taxpayers from the Inner City.
2. VENDOR/SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS services from the Inner City.
3. MENTORSHIP/TRAINING of individuals from the Inner City.
4. Signature Plan Business Center, Technology & Resource Center. To help close the "digital divide" and improve the infrastructure of the Inner City, Campaign Neighborhood - CFNBA launched the 5-Year Signature Plan (2005-2010). One of its outcome is to create four (4) Business Center, Technology and Resource Centers within a 4-mile by 3-mile radius that is bound by:
Capitol Drive/NORTH, State Street/SOUTH, 60th Street/WEST and Holton-Van Buren/EAST.
This is a densely populated area (approximately 250, 000) that is significantly handicapped due to the lack of online options and opportunities.
This project can help Inner City commercial stakeholders become more informed, competitive, efficient, cost-worthy, cost-efficient and productive.
Some benefits for residential stakeholders include:
* cost-effective and more efficient services by city government.
* more informed citizenry.
* access to local-global opportunities and options.
* help level the playing field for neighborhood "net worth".
* help level the playing field for commercial stakeholders to compete in the marketplace.
* state-of-the-art information sharing.
Submitted by:
Mary Glass, Chair/CEO
Campaign Neighborhood - CFNBA
Website: urbanicongroup.biz
Telephone: 414/271-5771
wade responded 1 year ago: #3
Nice to see they plan to help bridge the digital divide by providing free access to select areas. Way to give back.
Wade
http://www.freewifihotspotsoftware.com
Wade
http://www.freewifihotspotsoftware.com
Add Your Comment
Comment Policy: WTN News accepts comments that are on-topic and do not contain advertisements, profanity or personal attacks. Comments represent the views of the individuals who post them and do not necessarily represent the views of WTN Media or our partners, advertisers, or sources. Comments are moderated and not immediately posted. Your email address will not be posted.
WTN Media cannot accept liability for the content of comments posted here or verify their accuracy. If you believe this comment section is being abused, contact edit@wistechnology.com.
Advertisement
Most Popular Stories
- Why high-speed rail decision is a victory for Wisconsin and the I-Q Corridor
- Apple’s iPad can simultaneously kill a category and create a new one
- Better than Google AdSense? Facebook ‘SocialSense’
- Groundhog day predicting the weather, technology and economic outlook
- CMS grants Wisconsin EHR incentive program matching funds
Advertisement
Featured EventsMore…
- Feb 10 BioForward Professional Development Series - Coaching the Analytical Personality
- Feb 15 Biotech Career Educational Day
- Mar 10 - 11 Fusion 2010 CEO-CIO Symposium
- Apr 14 BioForward Professional Development Series - Managing Performance
- Apr 21 BioForward Professional Development Series - Project Management Essentials
- Apr 22 - 23 9th Annual International Bioethics Forum - Taking the Measure of the Magic Mirror: Toward a Science of Consciousness
- May 19 - 20 Digital Healthcare Conference
- Oct 4 - 6 2010 World Stem Cell Summit
More Stories
- How colleges can better nurture startups
- Decoupling in the recovery and what it means
- Meaningful use will be a balancing act, experts say
- How to run an online contest
- U.S. Scientists given access to cloud computing
- Portable technology causing trouble in courtrooms
- Wisconsin Health Information Organization elects Larry Rambo as chairman
- Implementing privacy policies
- Blumenthal: EHRs will become 'an absolute requisite' for docs
- Apple gets a patent for sharing location data during calls
WTN Media Presents
