Title
Telecommunications Advisory Board - Consultant Presentations - Discussion
History
At the direction of Mayor McLaughlin the Telecommunications Advisory Board (TAB) has recently addressed how the Village of Orland Park may advance the technologies and services available to the residents and businesses in Orland Park.
In examining this issue, TAB received presentations from a number of companies that provide video, data, and internet services. These companies included cable, telecommunications, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), and cellular companies. TAB and its volunteers received information regarding current offerings of video, data, and internet services, as well as offerings that will become available in the near future.
Utilizing information provided during these presentations, extensive conversations were held on how this information could be put towards advancing the technologies and services available to consumers in Orland Park. TAB decided that an informational campaign would be beneficial in helping to inform consumers of their choices in selecting these services. Towards this effort, TAB is currently working on creating an informational Village View segment to highlight all the video, data, and internet services available within the Village. Information is also being compiled for outreach efforts including articles in The Public and other Village publications. This information will include commonly asked questions, step by step explanations of technical information, and references to other resources.
In addition to increasing the awareness of the services available to village residents, TAB has also examined the potential of wireless internet services through Wi-Fi systems. Wi-Fi is a technology that is available or will soon be available in over 300 municipalities nationwide, and is now commonly found in airports, coffee houses, cafes, libraries, college campuses, and other locations where people gather. Wi-Fi allows people to connect to the internet with a laptop computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or smart phone (phones that double as PDAs). Providing wireless connectivity allows for access to email, the World Wide Web, work networks, and municipal services such as emergency communications, online report submittal, and other services.
The broad possibilities of services offered via wireless internet access has led to a number of regional municipalities including Aurora, IL; Naperville, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Grand Rapids, MI; Chaska, MN; Moorehead, MN, and many more to implement these systems. Recent high profile agreements include San Francisco, CA; Boston, MA: and Philadelphia, PA where desire to provide emergency services communication, internet access to otherwise unserviced commercial and residential customers, wireless water meter readings, wireless report submittals, and other services has driven the demand for these systems. In Orland Park, providing wireless internet access has the potential to provide service to areas that are not currently served by existing providers, provide more affordable service to current internet customers, and the ability to accommodate municipal uses such as emergency services communication, water meter readings, video monitoring, and additional functions.
A key difference in Grand Rapids, Michigan is that a Wi-Max system is being deployed to provide Wi-Fi service. Wi-Max is a technology that can currently offer Wi-Fi service, but integrates equipment that can offer better internet speeds (up to 8 MBPS) as technology advances. Wi-Max also requires less infrastructure equipment than traditional Wi-Fi equipment. These features are important in considering a system that will be viable well into the future.
Recent changes in the municipal Wi-Fi industry have demonstrated the variability in this industry. There is increasing demand for wireless internet access by cell phones with web browsers, smartphones, and PDAs. On the other hand, lower than anticipated subscription levels, service provisioning challenges such as receiving Wi-Fi signals indoors, expanding service offerings through new technologies (fiber to the home), and cellular internet access through existing providers have all affected the industry and business models that support municipal Wi-Fi systems.
Because of the many potential benefits of wireless internet access, the quickly changing realities shaping the municipal Wi-Max/Wi-Fi market, and the many technical aspects that need to be considered, the Telecommunications Advisory Board recommends utilizing the services of an industry consultant to determine:
§ Resident and business owner demand
§ Additional benefits realized in aiding municipal functions
§ Preferred network infrastructure and architecture to deploy
§ Business model to hold the system cost neutral for the Village while supporting infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, technical support costs, and other costs
§ Interference and other possible technical issues with Wi-Fi specific to Orland Park
The Telecommunications Advisory Board is seeking the Committee’s direction on whether to review and assess the ability of industry consultants to provide information on the above. With the Committee’s approval, consulting companies will be invited to make presentations regarding their services to the Telecommunications Advisory Board. TAB, working with Village staff, will then make a recommendation to the Committee on which company can provide consultation services best suited to Orland Park’s unique characteristics and needs.