The Future Impact of Wireless

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The Future Impact of Wireless

• Michigan Digital Government Summit
• October 14, 2004, Lansing Center
• Presenters
• Tom McQuillan
• Director of Information Technology
• City of Grand Rapids
• Viji Murali
• Vice President for Information Technology
• and Chief Information Officer
• Western Michigan University
• Jamie D. Walker
• Partner
• Accenture

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"That Xbox your son has his hands on is
seventeen thousand times faster than the computer
on the Apollo Command Module that guided Neil
Armstrong to the moon."

• Michael K Powell, Chairman,
• Federal Communications Commission
• December 18, 2003

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Why Wireless?

• Need to move information quickly and efficiently
  
• Standard for business
• A commodity required by a high percentage of the
  population.

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Broadband access...

• is becoming viewed as vital infrastructure
• is necessary to sustain foster economic growth.
  
• must be reliable and affordable

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Broadband access is critical to...

• education
• business
• healthcare
• government
• community services

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Types of Wireless Technology
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Wireless TechnologiesStrengths Weaknesses
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What is Wi-Fi?

• Wireless Fidelity, or Wi-Fi, is a wireless mode
  of connecting computers and other mobile devices
  to networks and to broadband data communications
  (the Internet).
• Wi-Fi operates in the 2.4 and 5.6 GHz radio
  frequency spectrums that are unregulated by the
  Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
• There are currently four specifications in the
  family 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.

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Why Wi-Fi?

• Wi-Fi is fast becoming the method of choice for a
  number of reasons, including
• bandwidth
• coverage
• scalability
• security
• mobility
• application utilization

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WiMAX (802.16)

• A new and yet non-standardized wireless
• Its coverage and bandwidth potential is greater
  than that of Wi-Fi
• WiMAX supports up to 75M bit/sec of shared
  bandwidth

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WiMAX (cont)

• Cell size of three to five miles from base
• It's a potential alternative to DSL, cable modem,
  and T-1 services
• Early standard-compliant products are due out
  this year.

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How does Wi-Fi Work?

• Access points are supplied with broadband and
  network access via wired connections to an
  Internet Service Provider (ISP).
• Access points can be combined into a "mesh
  network" to provide mobile connectivity anywhere
  in the coverage area.
• Access points in a Mesh network do not need to be
  mounted on towers, they can be placed on light
  poles or buildings.

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How does Wi-Fi Work (Continued)

• Access points can even be mounted on city
  vehicles so that the vehicle becomes part of the
  mesh network providing connectivity anywhere
  within a 300-foot radius of the vehicle.
• Once Wi-Fi units are installed, they create a
  self-organized and self-healing wireless mesh.
• Some, but not all, access points must include a
  high-capacity connection to the Internet. Most
  only require access to a power source readily
  available on existing light poles. Wireless
  access can be rolled out as units are installed.

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Wi-Fi Applications

• Improve public safety
• Increase operational efficiencies
• Enhance service to citizens and visitors
• Expand economic development
• Reduce digital divide

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Wi-Fi Applications (Continued)

• Strengthen neighborhoods/quality of life/cool
  cities
• Enhance educational opportunities
• Serve community groups and non-profits
• Advance health care
• Assist mass transportation
• Encourage tourism and convention business

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Business or Funding Models

• If a wireless network is to be pursued, city
  leadership must decide on the most appropriate
  business model for the best possible service
  delivery.

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Business/ Funding Models Six Options

• Government Owned Operated
• Government Owned/Privately Operated
• Joint Authority Operated
• Non-Profit Owned Operated
• Non-Profit owned Privately Operated
• Privately Owned Operated with Revenue Sharing

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Potential PartnersPotential partner interest
will depend on many variables, such as

• the type of network chosen
• its coverage area
• mobility, capabilities
• cost
• business model selected

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Potential partners may include

• The State, County, and other municipalities
• The Education Community
• The Health Community
• Mass Transit Authority
• Neighborhood Organizations
• Chamber of Commerce

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Potential partners Continued...

• Downtown Development Authority
• Van Andel Arena
• DeVos Place
• SmartZone Authority
• Banks Corporations
• Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other
  wireless services