In another demonstration of Wi-Fi for a wide area, the service is being rolled out in several hotspot demo areas in Kentwood and Grand Rapids, Mich.
After an eight-week demonstration period, in which usage will be free of charge, a request for proposal for a large comprehensive Wi-Fi area that is called HotSpotsCoolCity Project, will be issued. The demo is being conducted by Vivato Inc., which utilizes a proprietary phased array antenna, and by Pronto Networks, which manages large wireless networks.
“During this testing phase, the wireless Internet is available in a limited area around City Hall,” said Kentwood Mayor Richard Root in a statement “It remains my goal to construct a city-wide wireless network without a burden on taxpayers.” The mayor said the wireless network would be a benefit to police and fire departments as well as a boon to the area’s economy.
In the demonstration period, 10 sites will be established, each with a minimum of ¼ by ¼-square mile area. The demo networks are being constructed and paid for by the vendors, city officials said.
Different communities around the country are utilizing different business plans for WiFi. Some, like Philadelphia, are building out gigantic citywide hotspots with funding from the municipality. On the other end of the Wi-Fi rollout are cities like Boston, which rely more on different businesses and neighborhoods for support of neighborhood hotspots.
After an eight-week demonstration period, in which usage will be free of charge, a request for proposal for a large comprehensive Wi-Fi area that is called HotSpotsCoolCity Project, will be issued. The demo is being conducted by Vivato Inc., which utilizes a proprietary phased array antenna, and by Pronto Networks, which manages large wireless networks.
“During this testing phase, the wireless Internet is available in a limited area around City Hall,” said Kentwood Mayor Richard Root in a statement “It remains my goal to construct a city-wide wireless network without a burden on taxpayers.” The mayor said the wireless network would be a benefit to police and fire departments as well as a boon to the area’s economy.
In the demonstration period, 10 sites will be established, each with a minimum of ¼ by ¼-square mile area. The demo networks are being constructed and paid for by the vendors, city officials said.
Different communities around the country are utilizing different business plans for WiFi. Some, like Philadelphia, are building out gigantic citywide hotspots with funding from the municipality. On the other end of the Wi-Fi rollout are cities like Boston, which rely more on different businesses and neighborhoods for support of neighborhood hotspots.
