Gov. Fletcher launched the project to make several state buildings and state-owned spaces more user-friendly for visitors. For phase one, wireless high-speed Internet access will be available to residents and visitors in a 3 square mile area that includes the Capital Plaza Tower, the Transportation Building, the Old Capitol Annex and surrounding grounds, the Frankfort Convention Center, the Kentucky History Museum and the Capitol building and grounds. "My Prescription for Innovation has called for full statewide broadband deployment by 2007, increased use of computers and improved online services," remarked Gov. Fletcher. "We understand that wireless access is key to achieving these goals and this project demonstrates the ease of deploying and using a wireless high-speed network."
"In order for Kentucky's more rural areas to truly realize the benefits of technology, including e-health, e-government, online education and entertainment, wireless broadband will be a necessary component of statewide high-speed infrastructure."
Wireless broadband may also help meet the needs of Kentucky's future workforce, according to COT Commissioner Mike Inman. "While this wireless project provides an amenity for visitors to state properties, it also demonstrates the potential for providing high-speed Internet access for an increasingly mobile state workforce," said Commissioner Inman. "State employees need broadband access wherever they are in Kentucky, and wireless broadband makes that feasible for our most rural areas."
The project utilizes 802.11g Wi-Fi technology from Vivato and GeoWireless. Similar wireless technology has been used in rural Walla Walla County, Washington to cover 3,700 square miles. The technology holds great promise for covering Kentucky's less populated areas and advances the state toward meeting Gov. Fletcher's goal of full broadband deployment by 2007.
Quelle: Techlines, 07.09.2005
