Sat, Oct 11 2008
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Published December 06, 2007 01:15 am - Wi-Fi would benefit many, sales reps say By D. E. Smoot Phoenix Staff Writer
Public safety, municipal automation, economic development and quality of life: Those are just a few reasons why the city of Muskogee may want to invest in a wireless Internet network. Representatives from Honeywell and Tropos Networks pitched the idea Wednesday to city officials during a listening session. Both companies would like to have a hand in setting up the city’s Wi-Fi network should one be approved. City leaders said their hopes for such a system are driven by desires to improve Muskogee’s collective quality of life, attract new businesses and boost its population. Wi-Fi applications, experts say, also can be used to increase government efficiency and boost citizens’ satisfaction. While setting up a municipal Wi-Fi network would be expensive, Honeywell executive Jose Torres said the investment could be offset by a reduction in the cost of city services. Should it decide to do so, Torres said, the city also could generate revenue by selling broadband services. “This will increase citizens’ satisfaction,” Torres said of the public’s demand for services and the potential for improved public safety and government efficiency. “It would help you compete with other cities for industries coming in.” City officials initially discussed establishing a Wi-Fi network in Muskogee’s downtown corridor. But Wednesday’s presentation primarily explored citywide applications. Ron Pequette, Tropos sales director, reviewed a number of municipal Wi-Fi networks his company has helped build. The company’s largest geographic network, which covers 600 square miles is in Oklahoma City. That network, Pequette said, was part of a $90 million overhaul of the Oklahoma City’s mission critical data communications system used by police, fire and city staffers. Perhaps one of the most interesting networks built by Tropos is one in Tucson, Ariz. That system, Pequette said, features video technology that doctors and emergency medical workers use to assess a patient’s condition in the field or on the way to a hospital. Other applications discussed Wednesday included: • Public safety applications such as mobile communications, emergency response and surveillance. • Automation of municipal services that included traffic control, meter reading and parking. • Municipal policy regarding economic development, disaster avoidance and recovery, and digital inclusion. • Mobile business services. 
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