Governor Fletcher has launched a 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 sq. 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 state-wide broadband deployment by 2007, increased use of computers, and improved online services," remarked Governor 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."
The project is the result of a joint effort between the Commonwealth Office of Technology (COT) and ConnectKentucky. 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 towards meeting Governor Fletcher's goal of full broadband deployment by 2007.
John Hearton, President of GeoWireless, praised the Vivato equipment for its ability to provide 802.11g Wi-Fi for a large coverage area in Frankfort. "Vivato is a great partner for this deployment because of their large coverage capacity and simplified network operations."
The Vivato approach to Wi-Fi incorporates phased-array antennas and a patented PacketSteering technology to provide up to 12 times the coverage of competing Wi-Fi systems. By requiring fewer components, a Vivato installation also features lower networking and maintenance costs.
Wireless broadband can 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."
"We're excited to work with GeoWireless and ConnectKentucky to provide the City of Frankfort a large hot zone for public use, and a private secure hot zone for mobile state workforce use in the future," said Glenn Booth, Director of Marketing, Vivato. "This deployment reinforces the value proposition that we offer our customers-that the Vivato approach delivers the most cost-effective Wi-Fi solution on the market, providing greater coverage for considerably less Total Cost of Ownership than competing solutions."
The Technology Solutions Group is an affiliated consulting group within ConnectKentucky that focuses on assisting communities and companies with implementing critical technology solutions. Leveraging the collective knowledge of representatives from state and local government, universities, and numerous private sector companies, ConnectKentucky is accelerating technology in the Commonwealth through: broadband expansion, research, governmental affairs, public relations, and high-tech recruiting.
Quelle: Wireless IQ, 25.08.2005
