Michigan Digital Government

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Michigan Digital Government

• Lansing, MI
• March 17, 2005
• PresenterTom McQuillan
• Director of Information Technology
• City of Grand Rapids

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What is wireless broadband?

• Wireless networks use radio waves to set up
  communication links between devices and the
  Internet. These devices include.laptops,
  personal data assistants (PDAs), handheld
  personal computers, and nearly 1,000 other
  devices currently on the market.

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How Wireless Broadband Works?

• Access points connect devices to the network and
  Internet through radio signals
• Some of the access points are connected to the
  Internet by wires. Most will only require access
  to a power source readily available on existing
  light poles.

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How Wireless Broadband Works?

• Wireless connections will be available as access
  points are installed.
• Similar to a cellular phone network, access
  points can be combined to provide mobile
  connectivity anywhere in the coverage area.

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How Wireless Broadband Works?

• Access points do not need to be mounted on
  towers they can be placed on light poles or
  buildings.
• They can even be mounted on City vehicles so that
  the vehicle becomes part of the network,
  providing connectivity anywhere within a 300-foot
  radius of the vehicle.

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Status

• Grand Rapids Mayor George K. Heartwell outlined
  his vision for bringing a wireless broadband
  network to our community.
• The City is committed to deploying a solution
  using proven technology that is cost effective,
  self-funded, and will continue to serve our
  citizens for an extended period.
• City Manager, Kurt Kimball assigned a team to
  research wireless technology, best practices,
  funding models, and applications.

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City Goals

• To establish a wireless broadband network without
  a burden on taxpayers.
• To leverage the governments infrastructure and
  regulatory authority to partner with private
  providers, community institutions, businesses,
  and community organizations.

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Benefits of a Wireless Network

• Provide an economic development tool to attract
  and retain business
• Reduce the digital divide with affordable
  high-speed broadband service
• Improve service delivery to residents

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Benefits of a Wireless Network

• Facilitate wireless technology use for citizens
  and visitors
• Create a seamless wireless infrastructure to
  attract and retain young professionals

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Potential Partners

• State of Michigan
• Kent County
• Washtenaw County
• Grand Rapids Public Schools
• Non-profits
• Example Van Andel Research Institute
• Local Business Community

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Demonstration Networks

• The City is seeking proposals from wireless
  technology providers that are prepared to install
  a demonstration network that is at least
  one-quarter mile by one-quarter mile in size for
  technology comparison, testing, and evaluation
  purposes.
• From applications submitted by the deadline, the
  City will select multiple vendors representing a
  variety of wireless technologies to demonstrate
  in the City for a period of eight weeks.

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Demonstration Networks

• Vendors will be required to provide wireless
  network management software and cursory training
  to the City's network engineers.
• Following evaluation of the networks, a formal
  request for proposals is planned.

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City Will Provide

• Broadband connectivity
• Power
• GIS maps of the assigned demonstration network
  area
• Demographic information for the assigned
  demonstration network area
• Access to utility poles and City-owned buildings

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Vendor Responsibilities

• Vendor will incur all costs other than those
  assigned to the City
• The City will be "held harmless".
• Proof of insurance will be required
• General Liability per occurrence limit
  1,000,000
• Workers Compensation statutory limits
• Auto 1,000,000 combined single limit, including
  hired/non-owned liability

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Potential Applications

• Mobile, high-speed data, voice, and video
  communications, including Public Safety and
  Public Works
• Safety, Amber Alerts, and enriched critical
  incident command and field communications
• Internet and network access for remote locations

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Potential Applications

• Real-time work management, field reporting,
  permitting, and ticketing
• Improved communication between school
  administration, teachers, parents, and students
  via school Web sites and email including access
  to current school information, homework
  assignments, and remote teaching help
• College and university Web site and network
  access for off-campus students

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Potential Applications

• Easy Internet and network access for
  conventioneers, tourists, and visitors to Grand
  Rapids (including restaurant, hotel, airport,
  attraction, and other information)
• Remote medical monitoring of patients with
  chronic illnesses

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Potential Applications

• First responder access to vital patient
  information and medical assistance
• Free broadband access to governmental,
  educational, tourism, and non-profit Web sites
  resulting in a more educated, informed, and
  involved citizenry

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Grand Rapids Timeline
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Security

• Built upon strong Advanced Encryption
  Standard-Counter Mode/ CBC-MAC Protocol (AES-CCMP
  )-based encryption, 802.11i avoids the
  initialization vector and Message Integrity Check
  flaws that doomed the WEP (Wired Equivalent
  Privacy security standard.
• By relying on AES-CCMP, a block cipher, 802.11i
  ensures not only that the packet data payload is
  encrypted but also that selected packet header
  fields are protected.

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Conclusion

• Grand Rapids is committed to a wireless network
• Demonstration project will be evaluated
• RFP for a wireless network will be issued