Wifi Revolution

The Sonora Institute of Technology (ITSON) Public University is deploying a multi-user, multi-application Wi-Fi network that uses the Tropos MetroMesh solution to cover 23 square miles of Obregon, Mexico located in the State of Sonora, bordering California and Arizona. The wireless network is part of the state and federally-owned university’s initiative to create a knowledge-based and more productive economy in the region.

 

Jesus Gaxiola, IT Director of ITSON said that they aim to enable the economy to be competitive nationally and internationally with the use of information technology. The institute is fostering digital inclusion among the 270, 992 inhabitants, and thus employed a citizen-centered model in designing the project with the individual as the core user of IT based services from the government, education, health and private sector.

 

ITSON is focused to develop those regions where it has a presence and thus the university is investing in two technology parks in Obregon and in the City’s wireless network. By covering the technology parks and most of Obregon the network will help improve the local economy and create an attractive outsourcing opportunity for international technology companies.

 

While the Sonora Institute of Technology will own and operate the network, the City of Obregon and the local water company will act as anchor tenants. The local City government will provide the labor to install and maintain the equipment. The government will also pay for the City’s use of the network and services. The institute will charge a monthly access fee for use of the network to branches of businesses operating in Obregon but will offer the service free for the local residents.

 

The deployment for the first phase of the project has already begun. The majority of the population does not have access to Wi-Fi enabled devices, and thus kiosks equipped with laptops are being set up in university, government and community centers to ensure universal access.

 

The network will also be used for public safety. Around ten police cars are being equipped with laptops enabling police to have access from the field to online data services. Moreover, the City’s Water Department will replace the current communication infrastructure system for the department’s branches. Tropos expects all of these applications to be completed by December 2007.

 

Tropos Networks’ (News - Alert) MetroMesh Wi-Fi networking system was chosen after an extensive evaluation of wireless technologies by ITSON and Reto Industrial, their strategic network integrator partner.

 

“The criteria were overall performance, cost of operation, and proven ability to support a large, multi-user and multi-application network. The Tropos MetroMesh system fulfilled all of these plus offered a set of unique advantages in network and client reliability and network management which is critical in handling different types of traffic, users and institutions,” said Amador Najera Ruiz, COO of Reto Industrial in a statement.

 

According to Ron Sege, president and CEO of Tropos Networks, such networks require a level of reliability, security and management that Tropos has uniquely developed and continues to innovate for city-wide networks.

 

“We are pleased that our solution was selected to serve as the foundation to improve the economy and lives of citizens and businesses in Obregon,” he added.

 

 

 

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