Granite City going wireless
It will also be recognized as the first community in Madison County to acquire wireless Internet service.
Mayor Ed Hagnauer said Friday that he and other city officials are negotiating with United Technologies Corporation in a joint venture with Network 1 Communications to turn all of Granite City into a wireless community."I wanted the city to be the leader in this type of technology since I became mayor, setting an example that Granite City is planning for the future," Hagnauer said. "The wireless technology is an avenue that will allow for competition between giants like AT&T and Charter Communications and others. The technology will also allow for wireless Internet access where digital subscriber line or cable Internet services are not available. And it provides a means to network the city's municipal facilities and vehicles."
Hagnauer's goal is to have Granite City wireless by August or September through the City Council's approval.
Some people might think that going wireless is an expensive endeavor, but it isn't.
The modern technology will only cost the city a-one-time, $10 fee for Network 1 Communications to network the departments.
Network 1 Communications' profit will come through monthly fees through its services to businesses and the residential sector. The fees will range from about $19.99 a month to $39.99 based on wireless speed accessibility.
"There's no cable, no fiberoptics and no copper involved, just a great service," said Shane McKeal, the city's information technology director. "It's like having multiple wireless networks throughout the city covering the same area."
McKeal said the wireless technology will blanket the community with two separate wireless networks. One will operate on 2.4 gigahertz that will provide Internet access for the residential and business sectors, and the other will operate on 4.9 gigahertz that will serve first responders.
The technology will work through grids mounted on structures, namely larger buildings and streetlights, throughout town, serving a population of about 32,000.
The business and residential sectors will be able to go mobile with a laptop equipped with a wireless network adapter, according to Nick Niknejadi of United Technologies Corporation.
"We look forward to bring portable wireless Internet access to the Granite city community," he said.
Network 1 Communications, through the assistance of United Technologies Corporation, has installed city-wide wireless networks to more than 14 communities in Missouri, including Kirkwood, Florissant, Brentwood and O'Fallon.
"Network 1 Communications wants to reach into the Illinois market with the success its had in Missouri by offering its services to Granite City," McKeal said. "If that happens, Granite City's future looks bright in the world of wireless technology."
Alderwoman Brenda Whitaker was upbeat about the technology.
"It's always good to give residents a choice in new technology," Whitaker said. "It also nice to see Granite City taking an initiative to provide citizens with quality technology."
