ANCHORAGE to GO “FREE WIRELESS” THIS SUMMER National Firm Awarded Contract for Wireless Services in Downtown First

press_release_20070618

spacer spacer spacer For Immediate Release Contact: Julie Hasquet June 18, 2007 343-7103

ANCHORAGE TO GO “FREE WIRELESS” THIS SUMMER National Firm Awarded Contract for Wireless Services in Downtown First

Downtown Anchorage is scheduled to be “wireless” with free Internet access this summer, under the terms of a license agreement the Municipality plans to award to the leading national wireless broadband service provider, Mayor Mark Begich announced today.

The contract with MetroFi, Inc., of Mountain View, Calif., calls for the company to build a wireless broadband network using city facilities such as light poles and buildings. Initially scheduled for the downtown, the network would eventually be expanded to include the rest of Anchorage. The contract is subject to approval by the Anchorage Assembly. It is scheduled for action on June 26.

“Cities across America are starting to experience the cutting edge benefits of wireless technology,” Mayor Begich said. “Anchorage will soon be part of this trend which is improving city services and connecting its citizens with government and businesses.”

MetroFi will offer free wireless services to Anchorage residents, visitors and businesses working, visiting or living in the downtown core. Additional services, at competitive pricing, will also be available to residents, businesses and Anchorage’s municipal government.

The selection of MetroFi was conducted through a Request for Proposal competitive process. Six firms, both in-state and out-of-state, submitted proposals. MetroFi was selected as the best proposal based on experience, its successful deployment of wireless technology in other cities and what it offers Anchorage.

The other bidders were: Global Wireless Solutions & Technology, Inc., (Bradenton, FL); GCI Communications Corp., (Anchorage, AK); ACS, Inc., (Anchorage, AK); Wireless Delta Solutions, LLC (Delta Junction, AK); and Clearwire US LLC (Kirkland, WA).

Phase 1 of the wireless project covering downtown is scheduled for completion at the end of July 2007. The boundaries include north to the Port of Anchorage, east to Gambell Street, south to the Delaney Park Strip and west to the Inlet. Phase 2 of the wireless build-out is scheduled to begin in spring 2008 and includes the Anchorage Bowl. Subsequent phases include the remaining communities within the Municipality.

There are numerous services available from MetroFi. Free Internet service, intended for general usage, is subsidized by advertising sponsors. If users want to skip the advertising, they can subscribe to a paid service. The subscription service is targeted at residents, businesses and other users who do not want to view advertising.

Wireless services in Anchorage would greatly benefit public safety agencies, providing full network capabilities for a mobile command center, surveillance cameras in schools, portable video in cars, send and receive audio and video evidence, maps, and the ability to view road closure information, among other uses.

Several other American cities, such as Portland, Oregon and Riverside, California have implemented wireless service with widespread success and praise.

For more information on MetroFi, go to www.MetroFi.com.

http://www.muni.org/mayor/press_release_20070618.cfm[3/17/2009 9:52:32 AM] press_release_20070618

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http://www.muni.org/mayor/press_release_20070618.cfm[3/17/2009 9:52:32 AM]