Municipalities across the U.S. are deploying broadband wireless networks that blanket cities with high-speed wireless Internet access. New data shows the clear benefits these networks bring for economic development, public safety, and public utilities. Municipalities should add wireless network installation projects to their technology roadmaps.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Many communities have made compelling business cases for large-scale municipal wireless deployments. The network in place in New Orleans was critical in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the city continues to offer the service to its residents at no cost. Municipal wireless networks can provide far-reaching benefits that positively affect:

• Economic development. Municipalities compete to attract corporate and consumer investment and the services that they provide differentiate them. Widely available high-speed Internet access has become as much of a draw as factors like school quality, parks and recreation, safety, cleanliness, and low taxation.
• Public safety. Police, fire, and emergency medical services are arguably the largest beneficiaries of municipal wireless networks. The list of applications is massive. Suffice it to say that broadband wireless networks have revolutionized public safety functions in the municipalities that have adopted them.
• Public utilities. Smart meters are being rapidly deployed by public utility companies to gain operational efficiencies. Smart meters need a network to automatically pass data back to the operations center, and municipal wireless networks are an ideal solution.

These are just a few examples. Consider the uses for public transportation, mobile city staff, parks and recreation, education, libraries, and of course corporate and residential citizens. The market for wireless networking equipment is exploding, with 100% annual growth expected through 2008.

Technology Options

The technology that has been deployed in the majority of municipalities to date is Wi-Fi-based (802.11b/g) mesh networks. Products from BelAir, Motorola, Nortel, Strix, Tropos, and others are competing for market share in this space. Wi-Fi mesh networks work well in this environment, and vendors have had some success at getting around unlicensed radio frequency (RF) spectrum issues. Still, RF interference can cause problems for municipal mesh wireless networks and home and enterprise WLANs.

WiMAX will almost certainly displace mesh Wi-Fi, or at least components of it, in the coming years. With WiMAX certified equipment scheduled to begin shipping this year, look for the technology to replace the backhaul component of mesh Wi-Fi. In mid 2007, Intel will begin including combination Wi-Fi/WiMAX functionality in a Centrino-like chipset (codenamed Ofer).

Technology choices for municipal wireless networks are in a transitional period. It will be at least 12 months until WiMAX is a viable alternative to mesh Wi-Fi, and 24-36 months before client devices (laptops, PDAs, phones) start to reach critical mass.

Recommendations

Municipal and regional governments, public safety departments, public utilities, enterprises, and residents can benefit from a broadband municipal wireless network. Municipalities considering implementing such networks should:

1. Ensure that state laws do not restrict the deployment of a municipal wireless network. Some municipalities have borne the wrath of incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) seeking to stop such deployments. As an example, Verizon tried to stop the network deployment in Philadelphia, and BellSouth is currently trying to stop New Orleans from providing free access to residents.
2. Bring together potential stakeholders and users of the network. Form a committee with broad representation to determine how each group would use the network. Seek guidance and input for local businesses to ensure that any concerns enterprises may have are addressed. Have the committee define benefits and develop a business case. Be sure to provide hard timelines for deliverables.
3. Seek the advice of municipalities who have already deployed networks. Develop a survey/questionnaire that will provide insight into where others have had successes. Learn from the experiences of other municipalities, and avoid any potential pitfalls that may have presented challenges. Visit a municipality that has deployed a network and test network performance.
4. Develop a preliminary budget and define expected financial benefits. Include ongoing operational costs associated with the management of the network as well as the up-front capital requirements.
5. Create a comprehensive RFP that requires respondents to meet the diverse requirements of all stakeholders. Include a stipulation that a full deployment will proceed only after a successful pilot implementation.
6. Look for turnkey solutions from RFP respondents. Expect vendors to provide all the pieces of the puzzle, and avoid piecemeal solutions that require multiple equipment vendors, integrators, and consultants.

Bottom Line

Municipalities and regional governments can deliver significant benefits to several stakeholders by deploying broadband wireless networks. Perform due diligence and implement these networks if the business case is sound.

Wireless Trailblazers

Cities that have deployed, or plan to deploy municipal wireless networks, include:

• Corpus Christi, TX
• Charleston, SC
• Fairfax, VA
• Houston, TX
• Madison, WI
• Minneapolis, MN
• New Orleans, LA
• Pasadena, CA
• Philadelphia, PA
• Portland, OR
• San Francisco, CA
• San Mateo, CA
• Seattle, OR
• St. Cloud, FL
• Sunnyvale, CA
• Tempe, AZ
• Tucson, AZ
• Toronto, ON, Canada