The Future Impact of Wireless

Michigan Digital Government SummitOctober 14, 2004, Lansing Center

• Presenters:– Tom McQuillan

Director of Information TechnologyCity of Grand Rapids

– Viji MuraliVice President for Information Technology and Chief Information OfficerWestern Michigan University

– Jamie D. WalkerPartnerAccenture

"That Xbox your son has his hands on is seventeen thousand times faster than the computer on the Apollo Command Module that guided Neil Armstrong to the moon."

Michael K Powell, Chairman, Federal Communications CommissionDecember 18, 2003

Why Wireless?

• Need to move information quickly and efficiently

• Standard for business

• A commodity required by a high percentage of the population.

Broadband access...

• is becoming viewed as vital infrastructure

• is necessary to sustain & foster economic growth.

• must be reliable and affordable

Broadband access is critical to...

• education• business• healthcare• government• community services

Types of Wireless Technology

Current Wireless Options Description Speeds

Carrier Solutions Global System for Mobile (GSM),Cellular Digital Packet Data(CDPD), Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA), Time DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA), EnhancedData Rates for Global Evolution)Edge, ED-VO, Nextel, Verizon,Sprint

19.2K-38K

Private Radio Solutions M/A Com, Motorola, IPMobileNet,Dataradio

9.2K-56K

Private Broadband Solutions Alvarion, Mesh Networks, Flarion,NextGen City

500K-3MB

Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) Cisco, Tropos, Vivator, Bellair,FireTide

1MB-54MB

Mayor's Office of Information Services, Philadelphia, PA

Wireless TechnologiesStrengths & Weaknesses

Technology Type Strengths Weaknesses

Cellular –Including both CDPD/CDMA

CoverageReliabilityMobility

BandwidthScalabilityApplication UtilizationSecurity

Satellite CoverageBandwidthSecurity

MobilityApplication UtilizationReliabilityScalability

Microwave BandwidthSecurityReliability

MobilityApplication UtilizationScalability

UWB BandwidthCoverageScalability

MobilitySecurityReliabilityApplication Utilization

802.11 BandwidthCoverageScalabilitySecurityMobilityApplication Utilization

The Millennium Group, Inc., Franklin, Tenn. RFP

What is Wi-Fi?

• Wireless Fidelity, or Wi-Fi, is a wireless mode of connecting computers and other mobile devices to networks and to broadband data communications (the Internet).

• Wi-Fi operates in the 2.4 and 5.6 GHz radio frequency – spectrums that are unregulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

•There are currently four specifications in the family: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.

Why Wi-Fi?

• Wi-Fi is fast becoming the method of choice for a number of reasons, including:

– bandwidth– coverage– scalability– security– mobility– application utilization

WiMAX (802.16)

• A new and yet non-standardized wireless

• Its coverage and bandwidth potential is greater than that of Wi-Fi

• WiMAX supports up to 75M bit/sec of shared bandwidth

WiMAX (con’t)

• Cell size of three to five miles from base

• It's a potential alternative to DSL, cable modem, and T-1 services

• Early standard-compliant products are due out this year.

How does Wi-Fi Work?

• Access points are supplied with broadband and network access via wired connections to an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

• Access points can be combined into a "mesh network" to provide mobile connectivity anywhere in the coverage area.

• Access points in a Mesh network do not need to be mounted on towers, they can be placed on light poles or buildings.

How does Wi-Fi Work (Continued)

• Access points can even be mounted on city vehicles so that the vehicle becomes part of the mesh network providing connectivity anywhere within a 300-foot radius of the vehicle.

• Once Wi-Fi units are installed, they create a self-organized and self-healing wireless mesh.

• Some, but not all, access points must include a high-capacity connection to the Internet. Most only require access to a power source readily available on existing light poles. Wireless access can be rolled out as units are installed.

Wi-Fi Applications

• Improve public safety

• Increase operational efficiencies

• Enhance service to citizens and visitors

• Expand economic development

• Reduce digital divide

Wi-Fi Applications (Continued)

• Strengthen neighborhoods/quality of life/cool cities

• Enhance educational opportunities

• Serve community groups and non-profits

• Advance health care

• Assist mass transportation

• Encourage tourism and convention business

Business or Funding Models

If a wireless network is to be pursued, city leadership must decide on the most appropriate business model for the best possible service delivery.

Business/ Funding Models

Six Options:

•Government Owned & Operated•Government Owned/Privately

Operated• Joint Authority Operated •Non-Profit Owned & Operated•Non-Profit owned & Privately

Operated•Privately Owned & Operated

with Revenue Sharing

Potential Partners

Potential partner interest will depend on many variables, such as:

the type of network chosen its coverage area mobility, capabilities cost business model selected

The State, County, and other municipalities

The Education Community

The Health Community

Mass Transit Authority

Neighborhood Organizations

Chamber of Commerce

Potential partners may include:

Potential partners Continued...

Downtown Development Authority

Van Andel Arena

DeVos Place

SmartZone Authority

Banks & Corporations

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other wireless services