Visioning 2026 Blog
Wireless Infrastructure and Community Development -- What is Possible?
Talk about community development and building capabilities, WOW! (news articles posted below)
The last sentence really hit home for rural communities in Northeast Nebraska, "...... bridge the connection among rural communities in a rollout of the wireless technology."
My hope is that the Focus Groups will pick up on this particular topic and expand on it some more. How can we help people engage in this topic and make connections locally as well as in the state, country and world?
Susan Risinger on WJAG interviewed Mike McKenzie from the City's IT staff yesterday morning about how the library now has a WiFi access point and the potential across the community, especially for public facilities. The City has a fiber optic backbone that would support a very robust and redundant infrastructure to support the community. For example, plumbers could easily submit a water heater installation permit without ever having to leave the job site, thus making it easier for everyone to get the tasks done more efficiently and with better service.
One of our challenges is figuring out who we can partner with to have a successful implementation across the community including Madison County and other communities in the area. This again could be partial justification for hiring a federal lobbyist. We need to engage the youth to see if this is one small way to rekindle their desire to stay or return to Norfolk.
Just like road infrastructure it will be imperative to have a highly capable communication infrastructure for our community of the future.
Mark
Japanese Cities To Get High-Speed Wireless Mesh Broadband
By W. David Gardner, TechWeb Technology News
More than 100 Japanese cities with a combined population of 50 million will get mesh broadband service in a massive network rollout from NTT West and Strix Systems, according to an announcement Monday by Strix.
The mesh network will operate in the 4.9 to 5.0 GHz frequency and provide broadband service to corporate enterprises and municipalities. Some spectrum will be allocated for use by public safety and emergency services, Strix said.
The deployment will utilize Strix's Access/One Network Outdoor Wireless System (OWS) and its Indoor Wireless System (IWS) to deliver wireless voice, video and data services. The installation will also be supported by design and maintenance services supplied by Network Value Components.
Strix said its antenna technology will enable NTT West to bridge the connection among rural villages in the rollout of the wireless technology
WiMAX universe set to supernova soon
Posted Oct 16th 2006 2:01PM by Brian White
With last week's WiMAX World trade show in Boston, both Motorola and Nortel made large announcements with WiMAX infrastructure equipment, and Nokia even pitched in and said that it would be embracing WiMAX technology as well. In short, the world of WiMAX is about to get incredibly serious if it isn't already -- which it is, by all counts.
Airspan, a pre-WiMAX pioneer with installations in over 120 countries, now sees a huge market in the U.S. where many niche communities exist without any type of wireless broadband network outside of the top-20 markets that the larger carriers seem to always focus on. So - living in a small town may not be such a bad thing after all very soon, if you're a mobile broadband fan.
The question is, will the infrastructure be like freeways or tollways?
Liz October 18th, 2006 5:42 am
I read an article in the Sept issue of Latin trade mag about Chile. Apparently, they are trying to be the first wireless nation in the world.
They have put bids out and are in the process of building the network to provide wireless internet, phone and television free to all of its citizens. Apparently, this has already happened in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Korea is making plans to do the same.
I thought this was really interesting--"underdeveloped" countries can make this happen but we still have not been able to on any type of large scale.'
I tried to attach a link, but I don't subscribe to the mag because of the price, so I can't read it online!
Liz
Larry October 18th, 2006 5:43 am
Liz,
This is amazing that they can do this - especially since their country is so mountainous. This type of infrastructure will go a long way toward developing the citizens and advancing technology and growth in their country. I wish all U.S. cities would recognize the advantages of free connectivity.
Larry
Liz October 18th, 2006 5:44 am
The article said that wimax is different than wi-fi in that the technology can go through buildings and even mountains. There are several areas of the country already connected and functioning, now they just want to connect the pockets and provide it nationally. What I also thought was amazing, is that it is the government and they plan on giving access FREE!! So everyone could be more likely to take
advantage.
Liz
Larry October 18th, 2006 5:46 am
Whereas Wi-Fi goes approx a city block, WiMax goes many miles. This infrastructure development is like Eisenhower building the national interstate freeway. But this is broadband "freeway" is certain to stir up future commerce. Would we be so lucky...
Larry
Mike October 18th, 2006 5:47 am
Larry, you're correct. The deployment will more likely be impacted by future regulatory issues than anything else, though the ability to establish private and public boundaries will doubtlessly blur.
Larry October 18th, 2006 11:44 pm
Check out http://www.pbs.org/moyers/moyersonamerica/net/watch.html
to see three short videoclips worth watching:
1. U.S. in world connectivity perspective
Where do we fit in broadband connectivity?
2. How fast can the Net go?
Take a look at the newest technology.
3. Community network in Lafayette, Louisiana
Follow the story of one community that decided to create its own broadband network.
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Finally, for information on the Net Neutrality issue, look here:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/moyersonamerica/net/neutrality.html
Larry October 31st, 2006 12:05 am
Emergency Alert System to extend to wireless devices
Posted Oct 30th 2006 7:39PM by Michael Sciannamea
The country's Emergency Alert System (EAS) will be extending to cellphones and other wireless devices in the near future.
A new law has establishd voluntary standards for including emergency alert capabilities as part of cellphone packages. In addition, government grants totaling over $100 million will be used to build an emergency alert network that will be available to wireless devices. If wireless providers choose not to be part of this network, they must give their customers the ability to switch to another provider that does.
Obviously, the ability to receive emergency alerts and connect to a network that houses emergency information available to cellphone users makes a lot of sense. Hopefully, wireless providers will not make things difficult for their customers and insure that those who want this on their cellphones will be able to get it.