GR logs on to new service

Updated: Dec 1, 2006 06:08 PM

By ANNE SCHIEBER

GRAND RAPIDS – Ah, the beauty of technology. The ability to get on line with no modems, wires, or dial-up. You can do it easily in Grand Rapids City Hall with your laptop.

Now the city wants to make this happen everywhere in its 45 square mile limits and it plans to do it in a deal with national internet company, Clearwire. Clearwire proposes to set up a super enhanced WiFi system called WiMax.

“This is a different technology. There are different needs and different reasons why people would want to contract with different services. We think this will be a complimentary service,” says the city’s Chief Services Officer, Greg Sundstrom.

The city will essentially give clearwire free access to its water towers and antennas so the company can set up its anticipated $5 million network. In exchange, Clearwire will provide wireless service to the city at no cost. The city thinks it will be a big boost to emergency crews.

“We’ll be able to send live video on route to a crime scene. Maybe there’s a surveillance camera. Maybe they can get that video on route in their car,” says Sundstrom. Right now, police office can only transmit data wirelessly.

The service will not be free to everyone else. Clearwater’s rates on the internet are similar to rates of other wireless broadband providers. Clearwater says it will offer service to 5% of low income residents for $9.95.

There are also concerns that by giving one company free access to infrastructure, the city might shut out competition in the entire market.

The access is worth thousands of dollars. Competitors must pay the city to use the space.

WiMax is also so new that the equipment to provide it is not even available yet. City leaders expect it to be on the market next year, along with cards to upgrade today’s computers and computers already equiped with a WiMax card.

The equipment issue is a concern because manufacturers may want more of a customer base before producing it. The city will be the first government customer.

“There is something about being on the cutting edge. There’s a certain amount of risk here, there’s a certain amount of excitement,” says Sundstrom.

The City Commission is suppose to vote on the agreement Tuesday. The city hopes to have everything up and running by next year.

On the Net:

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