| City to go Wireless
The investment is being made as part of Derry’s “Walled City to Wireless City” initiative. Cllr Pat Ramsey, Chairperson of the Development Committee, explained: “Work is already well underway to make Council properties and the University Campus wireless broadband enabled. We are now going to provide wireless broadband coverage for the entire city centre. Our aim is to encourage businesses to develop new services and applications to utilise this wireless working environment.” Evolution Systems from Cheshire will install the Wi-Fi network. They are collaborating with USA- based Tropos Networks, Inc., who have developed the infrastructure to accommodate the network. Commenting on their appointment Mr David Easton, Managing Director, Evolution Systems said: "Evolution Systems is delighted to have been chosen by Derry City Council as a strategic partner in the "Walled City to Wireless City" project. The provision of a Wi-Fi network covering the whole of the Walled City will put Derry at the forefront of European Metropolitan Wireless Mesh developments and open up huge potential for the City in the future." It is expected that installation of the Wi-Fi network will be completed by March 2006. Ms Louise Breslin, Digital Economy Officer with Derry City Council explained: “Wireless networks transmit and receive data over the air via radio frequency technology, eliminating the need for wired connections. In the wireless network to be located in Derry devices called MetroMesh routers will broadcast signals around the City. Any device that is equipped with a wireless networking card (laptop, PDA etc) can receive that signal and communicate with the rest of the network”. The Walled City to Wireless City initiative is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the NI Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme. Mr Dermot Harrigan, Economic Development Officer commented: “Derry was selected by the Government as Northern Ireland’s Broadband Flagship Project and we are using this designation not only to demonstrate the capabilities of new technology but also to support the City’s image as a high-tech investment location.” |
Derry
is set to be one of the first cities in Europe to be fully wireless-enabled.
Specialist contractors have been appointed by Derry City Council
to install a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) network across the entire
city centre by spring 2006.
