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PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
A “Municipal Wireless Network” is commonly referred to as a wireless broadband network where a Local Government entity builds a Citywide Wireless Network for a variety of services that may involve Public Safety, Public Works, Economic Development and Community Internet Access. There are a wide variety of business models centered on “who owns the network?”
Municipal Wireless Networks are appearing all over the USA with over 320 cities involved to some degree – from initial investigation, to feasibility analysis, to RFP, and eventually deployment and launch.
Many ISPs such as EarthLink, MobilePro, MetroFi, and VeriLAN are investing millions of dollars into a variety of business models. Carriers such as AT&T, Embarq (formerly Sprint), and others are finding it unavoidable to participate and compete against these models. Some local Governments are even opting to own their own networks as is the case with cities such as Corpus Christi (TX), St. Cloud (FL), and Lompoc (CA).
The technologies driving these networks are a mix of WiFi and WiMAX-class technologies in a blended Point-to-Multipoint and WiFi Mesh topology. The decentralized nature of mesh networking enables extended coverage of WiFi-based access citywide.
This program will explore the real world impacts these networks from a Service Provider (Google), a Systems Integrator (WFI), and Equipment Vendor (Motorola) perspective. Our speakers will aim to answer questions surrounding:
- What are some of the real world challenges in deploying these types of networks?
- What are the service levels being delivered to users?
- What are the acceptable performance levels in terms of latency and throughput?
- Will applications such as VoWiFi become a reality across these networks and when?
- How will these networks impact applications and broadband use, for example through location based services and other innovative applications?
- Can all this be delivered in an economically feasible business model?
- Will we ever see a world with ubiquitous FREE WIFI?
The program will begin with an overview of the recently launched (and free) Google network in Mountain View, CA. This will be followed by a leading systems integrator’s perspective on Municipal Wireless Networks by WFI (Wireless Facilities, Inc.) Last we will hear a vendor viewpoint by Motorola who recently announced their new Wireless Mesh solution.
MODERATOR:
Eric DaVersa, Vice-President of Business Development for NetLogix, a consulting and wireless broadband engineering firm based in San Diego, CA. Eric is involved with several Carrier and Municipal deployments involving WiMAX and Municipal Wireless Networks.
PANELISTS:
Larry Alder, Product Manager, Google
Larry Alder has been a Product Manager at Google since Sept 2005 focused on Google’s mission of making information “Universally Accessible”. In that spirit, Larry works on Google’s Municipal WiFi activities including the Free Municipal WiFi network providing coverage to the entire city of Mountain View and Google/EarthLink’s proposal for San Francisco. Prior to joining Google, Larry spent 10 years at ArrayComm in roles that include VP of Technology Development and VP of Product Management. Larry spent two years leading the technology development group for the iBurst portable broadband wireless division. Prior to joining ArrayComm, Larry received his PhD from Stanford University in the specialty of Control Theory, and spent three years as a Senior Control Systems Engineer at Adept Technology.
Al Brown, Vice President of Business Development, Wireless Facilities, Inc.
Al Brown serves as WFI’s Vice President of Business Development for Enterprise and Municipal Wireless. Brown joined the Company in July of 2004 and is responsible for WFI’s global business development and sales efforts in the Enterprise and Municipal Wireless markets, as well as strategic partnerships and industry affiliations. Since joining WFI, Brown has been instrumental in guiding the division into new and expanding areas of business including municipal applications, municipal wireless networks, and advanced building automation services utilizing building optical networks. He also plays a key role in expanding the Company’s Enterprise and Municipal Wireless efforts into the international marketplace, primarily Europe and the Middle East. Prior to joining WFI, Mr. Brown served in a variety of senior executive roles and engineering positions at leading companies including NetVersant, IBM Global Services, First Consulting Group, and Electronic Data Systems. Brown holds a B.S. in Mathematical Sciences from Clemson University, and he resides in Roswell, Georgia.
Al Hebert, Director of Sales, Motorola
Mr. Hebert is the Director of Sales for Motorola’s Wireless Broadband Solutions Organization. With over 15 years of experience in wireless communications systems, Mr. Hebert has held positions in Research and Development, Systems Engineering, Product Management, Business Development and Sales. At Motorola, Mr. Hebert is responsible for developing business opportunities and introducing innovative wireless solutions that meet the needs of state and local government. Mr. Hebert has extensive experience in delivering interoperable mission critical voice and data communications systems that aid our nation’s public safety first responder teams. Mr. Hebert has also held leadership positions with PacketVideo Inc., a pioneering streaming video company instrumental in enabling multimedia applications over wireless communication channels, and at Graviton Inc., where Mr. Hebert helped lead the development of wireless self healing, adhoc sensor networks. Mr. Hebert holds an Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of Waterloo.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From the 805 Freeway, go east on Mira Mesa Boulevard.
Turn left on Genetic Center Drive, then turn right on Sequence Drive.
The Motorola office is located at 6450 Sequence Drive, at the intersection of Genetic Center Drive and Sequence Drive. (The building sits back off the road slightly.)
**The meeting will be held inside Motorola's auditorium. To get to the auditorium, please take the path that goes along the LEFT side of the 6450 building (there will be signs) - the door will be on the right.
SIG CO-CHAIRS:
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Eric Daversa
Jasper Bruinzeel
Dave Ahlgren
David Readman
Franz Birkner
Jason Ellis
Jeff Harris
Jonathan Cheah
Peter Pardee
Sandeep Mehta
Jay Lawrence
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