City Uses Wi-Fi Equipment Left Behind by Former Contractors

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The City of Naperville announced Friday that it has successfully reactivated the Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”) network that was launched as a pilot program in the downtown area in 2007. Residents and visitors can use the network to obtain information about downtown shops and restaurants and other community-related activities.

The area covered by the Wi-Fi network reaches approximately from Douglas Avenue/School Street in the north to Martin Avenue in the south and Ewing Street/West Street in the west to Wright Street in the east. The coverage map is available on the city’s Web site at www.naperville.il.us/emplibrary/wifimap.pdf.

In 2007, the City of Naperville contracted with MetroFi to provide a free Wi-Fi network to the downtown area. The launch of the network was well received by users. However, MetroFi’s management changed hands and the new company attempted to change the terms of the contract they negotiated with the city, resulting in a significant investment of taxpayer dollars. The city opted instead to investigate other options. MetroFi, claiming that removal costs would be too great, abandoned the equipment that they had set up throughout the downtown area.

Instead of removing the equipment, the city teamed up with WOW Access (not affiliated with Wide Open West, one of the city’s franchise cable partners) to again provide wireless Web connectivity to residents, businesspeople and other visitors to downtown Naperville. The network was unofficially reactivated in April of this year for a cost of $7,000.

“We are exploring ways to support public safety, create efficiencies in city services and realize cost-savings, while also providing a valuable service to our residents, businesses and visitors,” Telecommunications Manager Dan Voiland said.

As with any wireless system, the network is open-access and users should take precautions for online security, including turning off file-sharing, establishing a firewall and using anti-virus software.

A municipal wireless network allows city mobile workers, such as building inspectors, to be more efficient, provides new evidence gathering tools for police and fire, supports traffic monitoring and management and delivers free Wi-Fi to the city’s residents, local businesses and visitors.
 

For more information, including a pilot area map, visit www.naperville.il.us/wifi.aspx.

www.muniwireless.com/2009/06/09/naperville-downtown-wifi-is-back/