Networked Communities

Community Access With shrinking budgets and homeland security mandates, cities, towns, and municipalities are evaluating wireless networks as a way to improve community-wide communication services. Not only can wireless Internet access enhance public safety and improve security surveillance, it is a powerful attraction for business and tourism. One barrier to installing wireless networks is the fact that wireless networking devices typically have to be installed within reach of a hard-wired backhaul. This requires pulling new fiber or Ethernet cable which, in a municipal environment, is extremely expensive, time-consuming, disruptive, and downright difficult.

Instead, community leaders are finding that Wireless Instant Networks^TM make it possible to achieve their wireless communication objectives quickly, economically, and with satisfied users. Using standards-based routing and mesh network technologies, HotPoint^TMwireless mesh routers enable wireless access to information from anywhere without requiring a wired Ethernet network backhaul. A wireless mesh complements existing wired and wireless networks, extending their reach. Without the need to string cable, new HotSpots, HotZones and HotRegions can be deployed in a matter of hours or days. Temporary event or emergency networks can be deployed almost instantly. And an entire town can be connected for a fraction of the cost associated with conventional wireless networks.

Instant Networks

A instant network is an IP, broadband mesh network that supports multi-hop, point-to-point, and multi-cast routing. HotPoint mesh routers automatically connect multiple access points to create an extensive mesh backhaul for transporting traffic. Deploying a HotPoint mesh router is as easy as plugging the unit into standard AC power outlets that are already available in public transportation shelters, information kiosks, rooftop heating and air conditioning installations, shops, and civic buildings.

Connect Public Buildings and Community Sites

Costly, time-consuming, and extremely difficult in public right-of-ways, traditional fiber and Ethernet backhaul wiring are not viable choices when widely deploying public and private wireless networks. HotPoint mesh routers eliminate this barrier by providing a completely wireless backhaul, and because they provision themselves, they automatically configure the wireless mesh upon being plugged in. This enables creating a wireless network anywhere - often in less than a day. Now a municipality can:

	Easily connect civic and other buildings in a Hot Zone, allowing workers to easily access online information from another building or away from their desks
	Provide public Internet access to community centers, senior centers, recreational facilities, convention centers, parks, entertainment venues, and other public gathering locations
	Deploy wireless access services in brick and historic buildings where traditional Ethernet or fiber cabling would damage a building's historic integrity or aesthetics
	Create temporary networks for concerts, sports events, annual neighborhood festivals, holiday productions, parades, or emergencies

Increase Responsiveness

First responders need immediate access to information, yet small cities and towns often have limited budgets for providing the latest mobile information resources. A instant network can provide cost-effective wireless coverage over the town limits, enabling a municipality to create a private first responders' network with access to online HAZMAT, location data, maps, and email capabilities. HotPoint mesh routers can even be installed in vehicles, enabling police and other first responders to remain connected while on the move.

Attract Business and Visitors

Attracting businesspeople and visitors is a high priority for Chambers of Commerce. By providing free Internet access to business meetings, conferences, and sponsored events, cities with interesting buildings, histories, and facilities can improve bookings. Retail shops and historic storefronts can now easily provide online access for merchants and shopkeepers. The ability to provide wireless Internet access has proven to play an important role in successful public-private partnerships between local governments, retail merchants, and private business where instant networks have been deployed.

Cost-effectively Enhance Security

Security Monitoring Local law enforcement, security companies, and other security-focused organizations can improve surveillance capabilities with remote security cameras. As a broadband mesh network, a instant network enables delivery of real-time video, allowing security personnel to monitor sites from any location. HotPoint mesh routers are simply plugged into existing AC power sources in parking lots, parking garages, public parks and recreational venues, water and electric utility facilities, airports, shopping malls, and sensitive sites. Images are transported to a central monitoring location over the broadband wireless mesh backhaul in real time for around-the-clock visibility.

A Civic Investment with a Valuable Return

With a single wireless mesh, communities can improve access to information for civic servants, first responders, businesses, and visitors. From the same network they can improve security and surveillance. Supporting both private and public networks is a good civic investment that pays off in improved business and tourism revenue and visibility.

EXAMPLES

| Computer History Museum | Los Gatos Opera House |

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