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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/24/2007 - UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE CITY'S WIRELESS INTERN DATE: July 24, 2007 WORK SESSION ITEM STAFF: Tom Vosburg FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION Update on the Status of the City's Wireless Internet Access Pilot Project. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED Staff will be seeking general feedback from Council regarding the direction and approach staff is taking with this project. BACKGROUND Many municipalities, including Fort Collins, are now investigating how use of large scale, outdoor 802.11 wireless broadband internet access networks(also know as Municipal Wi-fi networks)may address a variety of community goals including economic development, increasing internet access for disadvantaged populations, and improving municipal operations by connecting field workers with data systems. Because of the rapid change in technology and business models relating to municipally sponsored WIFI service, the City is taking a three phase approach to evaluating emerging wireless network service opportunities. • Phase 1 will involve provision of WIFI service for general public internet access in the core part of Old Town including Old Town Square, Oak Street Plaza and Library Park. This pilot project will be conducted through a partnership with Front Range Internet(FRH). The Phase 1 pilot project is schedule to "go live" on July 25, 2007. Staff will provide more details regarding the nature of the Phase 1 services that will be available to citizens at the work session. • Phase 2 will involve developing a feasibility study and plan to conduct a more in depth trial of WIMAX and WIFI wireless technologies for general public internet access,remote access to campus network for CSU students and faculty, commercial provision of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, as well as Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), Utility Demand Side Management (DSM), improved traffic signal control, Public Safety mobile data communications technologies, and other City operational applications of wireless network access. o Fort Collins will work jointly with the City of Loveland in developing the Phase 2 feasibility study to evaluate the potential benefits of the two cities partnering in a regional WIFI project. Page 2 o The City will also work in cooperation with CSU in order to determine if there is a significant community benefit for the City to work with CSU in using the University's 2.5 rnhz licensed spectrum(this is required for WIMAJ) as part of the wireless network service. CSU will be independently conducting an RFP this summer to determine the economic value of its 2.5 mhz spectrum. o The Phase 2 planning work will include an analysis of business models and the feasibility of establishing a City wholesale Telecommunication Utility for the provision of wireless services. o Phase 2 planning is expected to take place throughout the balance of 2007. • Phase 3 will involve actually conducting the field trial of the selected wireless technologies to verify network performance and determine the operational demands required to provide these kinds of services. The Phase 3 trial area is now expected to include an approximately 2 square mile area between Old Town and CSU, as well as some outlying,low density areas outside the City limits, but within the area served by Poudre Fire Authority. Phase 3 activities will begin in early 2008. City costs associated with Phase 1 are expected to be minimal. Nortel Networks will provide equipment and engineering assistance to FRH. FRH will design and operate the network,provide ISP services and bandwidth for the trial, as well as all customer support. The City of Fort Collins will grant FRII time-limited pole attachment agreements for the duration of the trial project, assist with transmitter installation, and participate in marketing the service to the public. Phase 2 will be supported by Utility Services monies now budgeted in the 2006-07 Budget for BFO Offer# 365, the offer to develop a feasibility study regarding broadband service provision. Phase 3 may require additional Utility funding in the 2008-09 budget to purchase test AMR and DSM equipment to install in the Phase 3 test area. ATTACHMENTS 1. PowerPoint Presentation: Fort Collins Municipal Wi-Fi Pilot Project Fort Collins Municipal Wi = Fi pilot Project : Project Status Update City Council Work Session July 24 , 2007 Presentation Overview • Municipal WI - Fl Networks Defined • Wireless Broadband Service Technologies • Possible Municipal Uses of WIFI • Variations and Options : Technology and Business Models • Overview of Fort Collins Pilot Projects Feasibility Study approach Municipal W 'I = Fl Networks Defined • Large scale , outdoor wireless data access networks based on 802 . 11 ( Wifl ) technology , deployed by mounting access points ( radios ) on common public infrastructure ( typically streetlights ) . - Can be used for last mile access to institutional networks ( Meter reading , public safety ) . - Can provide Internet access to citizens . - Both public and private ownership models . i WWi 'it- Fi Mesh : What is ; the technology • WI - Fi : 802 . 11 2 . 4 or 5 . 0 ghz . Unlicensed spectrum . FCC : Limit on maximum power output- Limits range of APs ( 1 /4 mile ) . • WI - Fi Mesh : APs hand session to each other — extends range of network , creates a cloud of connectivity . - Mesh routing protocol finds best route back ; self configuring , self load balancing , self healing . - Portable , if not mobile — hand off sessions from moving client without loss of session . per ■ 7� T .� IF Q. 16 () H or Zarrt3 F ow"i L Spa Li + � + iir + + 7 ■ INI _ SOAP ' mesh d * EI r Da" Radktxm oil ■ Pol L Broadband Access Technologies Compared Technology Speed Ranges Mobility Availability Dial Up Low Portable phone Widely available locations DSL High Fixed location Widely available Cable High Fixed location Widely available Standard Wifi High Portable to Fixed Hotspots Locations Cellular Phone Medium Mobile within Widely available coverage area Wi4i Mesh High Mobile within Downtown Fort coverage area Collins 1 Other Tech Points : • How to Increase capacity / quality of of the Mesh : - Increase # of APS ( 20 to 30 / sqr . mile minimum ) - Increase # of back haul points . • Indoor Service is best supported by a signal booster device . - Outdoor Mesh APs are more powerful than laptops ; Laptops can hear APs , AP can ' t hear Laptops ; - Indoor use needs CPE device : Booster/ Bridge — similar in cost to Cable / DSL modem . - Vehicles can use boosters too . Edit View Favorites Tools Help Bads - } Search Y YL Favorites sss http ; ,+e+,.%,,rk,,r%, , eforcity , com,+cnok5lotat03 , html � Go Lin Bookmark This Page View Cart @@Track Order @Faq2 fr I ty By Keyoamd or Catalog No. Get Monthly Discou nt Coupon Free Shipping Searoh Subsoribe YYdh $25 rnin . purchase Home CellphonesMP3 Printer Inks DVs PD + + Games Cellphone Plans ie > Computer Accessories > Wi - Fi Booster Antenna (phones P* more �Narch 's � Iveawa}r Wi - Fi Booster Antenna 'a la Accessnrieer r 101 Pod Shuffles Accessories CHOK5161AI 03 Ericsson Accessories bit Accessories .ung Accessories Retail price; $ 29 , 99 :I ,Access a ries ivnxAcc�ssories Our price: 9 , 99 I k . You Save: $ 20 ,00 t67%) ccessaris� a Accessories o r QTYE • sonic Accessories Usually ships the same business day. Accessories accessories inners i Accessories , erAccessaries i Gift Ideas d Accessories G 1� 51gri Up & taneAccessaries [Click to Enlarge: Chtckaui Save 1 SALE Clearance Deal = + 5 X Range Extender - Extends up to 5 times the original range Aakk of your WiFi access in open space . + Magnetic Mount - Put the antenna near the window or on top of der Inks a vehicle where it can pick up more signals , rrmore plug and Play - No extra pigtails needed . Comes with b feet Ink Cartridges pigtail with Reverse Polarity SMA termination . Plug directly into er Ink Cartridges your D - link DWI- 5 0 , Linksys WMP11 , WET11 , Netgear MA311 , n In4 rmrFririna nr F) - linlr floc 1antirt-hinn that- hook Rotrorco Dnlarit-%.t CZMlll It 10 Internet r f # �0 i r : -a r !y 1 l 1 w ti 1 , 1 1 V r ' r 1 11 1 %% L _ S . •1 �� Or + h { + ' i 1 + 1 • � L &06 � F # - 1 IL � r _ 1 t -_ F rT + Lr IN ti t L r •, j T _ 90 J ± - _ r + ` IP ` a ! do 1 jp dpr ,, it f _ _ r i r — ' 1 New Technologies on the Horizon • 802 . 11 n with MIMO : Expected speed improvements • 4 . 9 mhz WIfI for Public Safety • WiMax ( 802 . 16 e ) : Better range and speed , but total new hardware and licensed spectrum required . 1 Other Tech Points : Multi - Devices • Laptops • Desktops • PDA • Game Consoles • VoIP Phones / Cell phones • Regular Phones w/ bridge • Meters , sensors • Cameras ■ Potential Wifi Mesh Markets : 0 • Fixed Point Access : Utility Meters , Homes • Portable Access : Access same user account from different places ( Home , work , classroom , resturants ) • Mobile Access : Uninterrupted service from moving vehicle . Possible Municipal uses for Wmlfml • Economic Development • Automatic Meter Reading and Utility System control • Improved Access to City Systems by field staff ( Building Inspectors , others ) • Traffic Signal and System control • Remote Surveillance ( Traffic and Police ) • Public Safety data systems access Variations and Options : The Business Models Ownership Operation Market Model Notes Public Outsourced Municipals Uses Corpus Only Christi , TX Public Outsourced Mixed use : St . Cloud , FI Municipal and San Fran . CA Public Access Public Outsourced Municipal Use and Tacoma , WA Wholesale Last Toronto Mile Services Public / Private Private Mixed use : ? ? ? Municipal and Public Access Private Private Mixed use : Tempe , Municipal and Longmont Public Access Fort Collins Project - Phased Approach • Phase 1 : Downtown Pilot Project - Partnership with Front Range Internet ( FRII ) - In Progress — "Wire cutting " July 25 • Phase 2 : Regional Feasibility Study - Partnership with City of Loveland - Now working on Scope of Work , etc . . . • Phase 3 : Expanded Downtown / University area trial - Goal is to partner with CSU , other community partners - Focus on Automatic Meter Reading Downtown ( Phase 1 ) WkFi Pilot Project Boundary LAP092y CT LU � ._ . ■HA d 0I RIM / . ♦ 4, , FLW MOUNTAIN AVE E MOUNTAIN AVE li l■ ■ ■ 1111111 ■ `�'� 1 IIIII . f I. � IIIII= _' � �1�! ■IIIII` = • ■ � 1■ ■ ■ � :. ■ 1■IIIII illllll — e � ' - 11■ III H - � � � - • '� ■ ■ ■ , ■ ■ ■IIIII■ ' _ = _ - r= 1111 ■■ ■. E ■ ■ . ■ .IIIIIIII� - - 111 ■ Ali � _ IIIIIIII' � ' rl W�Fi Area ■ ._ ■ ii■ � : _ :IIIII ■ ■ :�`,, Questions