Wifi Revolution

Louisville, Kentucky–based Radiant Networks has teamed with Proxim Wireless to provide residents of Solon with free Wi-Fi access within their new community center as well as their public parks.

 

The companies have deployed a multipoint network on a single tower in the middle of the city to provide the service.

 

The wireless network has used mesh technology to create Wi-Fi cells. As a result, a resident can log into the network within the Community Center, decide to catch some sun at the pool, and then walk to the baseball fields to catch a quick game, without ever losing their session connection.

 

The idea behind launching a free service is reportedly to attract more telecom companies and investment into the community. Another objective, according to Radiant, is to create a wireless infrastructure to provide low cost wireless access throughout the city of Solon.

Local wireless distributor Winncom Technologies has reportedly supplied the hardware for the project.

 

Home to around 24,000 people, Solon is described as one of the most preferred destinations to live in the U.S.

 

Radiant said it carried out a site survey and feasibility study before designing the network. The company has used Proxim's Tsunami MP.11 WiMAX (News - Alert) and Wi-Fi mesh access points to support voice, video, and data.

 

The Solon Community Center is a 94,000 square foot facility that contains meeting and banquet rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, gymnasium, jogging track, aerobics studio, free weight room, rock climbing wall and a fitness area. The Solon Community Park is situated adjacent to the Community Center.

 

"This is another of many ways a city can work with their community to provide needed services and enhanced communications to a global market. Working with local Radiant Networks personnel and local firms provided a personal value to the success of the project," said Jeffery Pokorny, director of Information Technology for the City of Solon.

 

Proxim enables a variety of wireless applications including security and surveillance, VoIP, last mile access, enterprise LAN connectivity and Point-to-Point backhaul.

 

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