Wireless Cities: The New Economic Development and Public Safety Movement to Empower Local Communities

Commentary Sponsored by The Wireless City Group, LLC

Cities like Philadelphia, New Orleans, Anaheim and Seattle are among the hundreds of cities worldwide that are developing Municipal Wireless Networks (MWN) - wireless networks that provide large municipal areas with broadband wireless services. The advent of the Municipal Wireless Network is not only ushering in a new era of connectivity and communication for users, but is also spearheading two pervasive and intensifying movements: the empowerment and economic improvement of local communities and the simplification of communication between government and community to increase public safety and overall quality of life.

Needless to say, the trend towards Municipal Wireless Network is serious. In fact, both Sprint and AT&T have recently made large investments to become national municipal wireless service providers in the United States, joining Google and EarthLink who have already established themselves as MWN leaders. This widespread interest in Municipal Wireless Networks has ignited the "next great debate" with respect to who should own the network and control the bandwidth - the community or the provider.

As Municipal Wireless Networks change how people communicate, so will it change the face of public safety initiatives. Domestic violence advocate Denise Brown, Chair of the Board for the Nicole Brown Foundation, stated: "public safety is one of the top five reasons that city leaders support Municipal Wireless Networks." Brown continues, "based on the initial case studies of high speed wireless connectivity, it can be a remedy to reduce the gaps in communication that currently exist at the local community level between individuals, law enforcement, courts and domestic violence program providers." Municipal Wireless Network will eliminate the 'closed garage door syndrome' and bring back the "trust thy neighbor" feeling into communities."

These issues and much more will be presented at The Wireless City 2006 Fall Conference on October 11th at the Center Club in Costa Mesa, CA. The invitation only one-day Conference, entitled "How the Wireless Age Will Stimulate Economic Development through Empowered Digital Communities," will feature expert speakers, case study presentations, a question-and-answer panel and a showcase of innovative products and services for city leaders. The goal for the conference is to look beyond the hardware of a Municipal Wireless Network and focus more on the economic growth and local community empowerment a citywide network can deliver.

"The Fall Conference is about local community empowerment," said Glenn Llopis, The Wireless City's President and CEO. "Empowerment of city officials with information, empowerment of a city to make the best economic development decisions for their Municipal Wireless Networks and empowerment of a community to eliminate today's 'close garage door syndrome'." Llopis continued, "This goes beyond internet access and e-mail, we believe Municipal Wireless Networks can empower and transform cities, states, even countries. We are part of a global movement that can't be ignored."

The Wireless City is a Brand and Technology Consultancy in Irvine, Calif. Their goal is to provide strategic and technical solutions that unify, empower and create opportunities for cities, both socially and economically, through the support of Municipal Wireless Networks. By forging partnerships with key players, The Wireless City hopes to optimize the economic opportunities and transformative benefits of MWNs for communities worldwide. The Wireless City also provides timely information and educational platforms about MWN for business leaders and community residents on a local, state and national level.

For more information regarding the Wireless City's Fall Conference please visit www.thewirelesscity.org. There you will find registration information, a complete agenda and a list of keynote speakers.