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MichTel Communications Deploys Cisco Wireless Architecture for Oakland County Initiative to Drive Broadband Adoption, Spur Economic Development
Innovative Business Model Supports Deployment's Goal to Deliver Pervasive Internet Access and Attract, Retain Businesses in Michigan
| Source: Cisco Systems, Inc.
SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire - November 13, 2007) - In an effort to foster economic transformation
and help meet the goal of providing more than 1.2 million residents and
40,000 businesses with broadband Internet access, MichTel Communications,
in partnership with Michigan's Oakland County, is deploying the Cisco®
(NASDAQ : CSCO ) service mesh architecture to more than 61 cities and
townships across the state's southeastern region.
The Wireless Oakland initiative's business model features free "baseline"
connectivity services for residential and business customers (i.e. 128
kbps) supported through advertising revenue as well as for-fee services
that provide faster broadband connectivity. Examples of for-fee offerings
include managed broadband services, T1 backup and indoor/outdoor
connectivity to small-to-medium businesses, enterprise businesses,
government employees and residents. County officials initially expected
only a few thousand early adopters, but more than 15,000 users have signed
up for Wireless Oakland since it launched in January, with an average
Internet session length of 75 minutes.
The county's "Wireless Oakland" initiative encompasses more than 910 square
miles and is designed with a goal of providing free wireless Internet
access to every resident, business and visitor. According to Phil
Bertolini, deputy county executive and chief information officer of Oakland
County, the wireless network is helping bridge a "digital divide" for
residents with limited access to the Internet.
In addition, the deployment is serving as a platform for economic
transformation. The state, which relies heavily on the automobile
manufacturing industry, is enduring a slump that is spurring Oakland County
to continue to diversify its business landscape and help ensure economic
stability. The wireless deployment helps Oakland County achieve this goal
by delivering greater access to information, mobility and collaboration.
"Some schoolchildren in Oakland County can access the Internet or a
computer for as little as 30 minutes a week, which is grossly inadequate in
today's information- and technology-driven world," Bertolini said.
"Wireless deployments like Wireless Oakland present viable business
opportunities, but more importantly they serve a critical need within
communities to support increasingly mobile residents and businesses, and to
elevate the technical knowledge of its current and future workforces. We
are purposefully using this wireless network as a tool to drive economic
and workforce transformation that supports our county and state's ability
to strengthen the economic future."
"Our community has enthusiastically embraced broadband wireless access, and
usage rates are in excess of 1 million minutes per week, which is a
powerful testament to the strength of our business model and the innovative
applications being deployed through Wireless Oakland," said Frank
Scaramuzzino, president of MichTel. "We knew early on that in order for
this municipal wireless initiative to succeed, it was paramount to start
with a solid business model. Strong partners like Cisco were instrumental
in the success of this deployment and in building a successful technical
foundation. The county is enjoying the benefits of that foundation as we
speak."
Oakland County's deployment consists of wireless mesh equipment from Cisco,
including the Aironet® 1500 Series access points, switching and routing
hardware and wireless networking management software.
"Wireless Oakland is an outstanding example of a successful large-scale
wireless deployment with a forward-thinking business model that's being
embraced by its community," said Ben Gibson, Cisco's director of mobility
solutions. "Cisco is pleased to provide the wireless infrastructure behind
Oakland County's important initiative to offer residents and businesses
highly secure, cost-effective and scalable outdoor connectivity. Simply
put, Oakland County is proving that municipal wireless can work."
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