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Jun. 23, 2007

Yesterday, the city of Sacramento has approved a privately-financed city-wide Wi-Fi network, with basic service provided free through advertising support.

The new wireless network, under a contract with a consortium called Sacramento Metro Connect, will be one of the largest municipal Wi-Fi networks in the U.S.

Sacramento's new Metro Connect network was created by Azulstar, Cisco Systems, Intel and SeaKay.

The consortium says the Wi-Fi network will cover about ninety square miles and will potentially serve 400,000 Internet users.

Its basic service, made possible through ad support, would be free with additional features such as VoIP or video streaming, coming with a specific fee.

Sacramento Council member Rob Fong said "the City of Sacramento is very excited about the opportunity to provide wireless Internet access to our residents, visitors and businesses."

Overall, construction on the network is expected to start in September, with project completion in mid-2009.

There are about eighty cities in the U.S. either deploying or planning to deploy Wi-Fi networks but few of them are the size of Sacramento.

Part of the transaction calls for the City of Sacramento to acquire its Internet service from the consortium, while the city will allow the consortium to install infrastructure on city-owned light poles and other facilities.

Azulstar is the project leader and will own, operate and deploy the network, including its design, billing and maintenance.

Cisco will provide the network hardware and outdoor wireless mesh infrastructure. Intel will provide advisory support, and SeaKay will handle community outreach.

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Source: Wireless Week