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Councilman Colonna Seeks Report On Benefits Of Expanding LB Wireless Internet Citywide
(March 18, 2005) -- Councilman Frank Colonna is requesting a city staff report on the economic and service benefits of expanding wireless internet connectivity citywide.
In a memo accompanying his March 22 agendized item, Councilman Colonna writes in part: "It is important for Long Beach to be on the forefront of new and creative technologies.
Technology, and in particular the Internet, is changing the way people communicate, and
how companies do business...If Long Beach is to remain a competitive location for business and a world-class attraction for visitors, we must look at drastically expanding our wireless network."
Noting that LB already offers wireless internet "hot zones" along part of downtown Pine Ave. and at LB Airport, Councilman Colonna continues, "We should look at expanding wireless access to all major public centers including our parks, libraries, museums, and the rest of downtown Long Beach and the East Village. In addition, we should look at the possibility of expanding service to our major retail corridors."
LBReport.com posts Councilman Colonna's agendizing memo in full below:
Background
It is important for Long Beach to be on the forefront of new and creative technologies.
Technology, and in particular the Internet, is changing the way people communicate, and
how companies do business. Government has also had to adapt to the Internet revolution,
and must now be on the forefront of investing resources to enhance a new digital civic
life.
Many local businesses and organizations have already begun to capitalize on wireless
technology. Many of our coffee houses and some restaurants have already implemented
wireless hotspots. Within the last couple of years, the City of Long Beach has also taken
steps to provide wireless connectivity. We have introduced wireless hotspots at the Long
Beach Airport, and on portions of Pine Ave. in downtown. There is also a plan in place
to introduce a new hotspot at the Main Library.
If Long Beach is to remain a competitive location for business and a world-class
attraction for visitors, we must look at drastically expanding our wireless network.
Many businesses and organizations are now looking at wireless technology as a new
factor when deciding to do business. Moreover, wireless access is fast becoming an
indispensable tool for visitors and toiuists.
Cities across the country are also looking to wireless technology as a new way to deliver
services. Philadelphia for example is pursuing citywide wireless technology to improve
service delivery and to reduce costs in many applications from mobile data terminals in
police cars to hand held devices that give service delivery workers an office in the field.
We should look at expanding wireless access to all major public centers including our
parks, libraries, museums, and the rest of downtown Long Beach and the East Village. In
addition, we should look at the possibility of expanding service to our major retail
corridors.
Expanding the wireless network will certainly have to [be] a public/private partnership. It
is an investment that will benefit our citizens, visitors and businesses.
Recommended Couucil Action
Move to direct staff to prepare a report on the economic and service benefits of
expanding wireless connectivity throughout the city.
In 2003, LB became one of the first U.S. cities (and the first city west of the Rockies) to offer free wireless internet service along part of downtown Pine Ave. and LB Airport followed.
Cerritos, CA currently has wireless internet service effectively citywide (a "hot zone" of roughly 8.6 sq. miles; by comparison, LB is roughly 50 sq. miles). Since April 2004, Aiirmesh Communications has offered the service in Cerritos, marketing it to residents on a fee basis and providing it to Cerritos City Hall (city agencies).
The company says Cerritos residents can use laptops and PDA's "over the air" from most spots within the city limits while neighborhood transmitters provide wireless broadband access inside homes.
In the coming weeks, the firm is preparing to launch a pilot program that will previde wireless internet access on board Cerritos' public transportation buses.
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