Authorization to Release an RFP Seeking Bids for Citywide Municipal Wifi. City of Culver City California City Council Agenda Item Report Meeting Date: 10/23/06 AGENDA ITEM: Authorization to Release an RFP Seeking Bids for Citywide Municipal Wifi Item Number: C 4 Contact Person/Dept.: John Richo Phone Number: (310) 253 5950 Fiscal Impact: Yes Public Hearing: Public Notification: Master Notification List (10/18/2006) Action Item: No X General Fund: Yes No X Attachments: X Department Approval: John Richo (10/11/2006) City Controller Approval: Mary V. Noller (10/18/2006) RECOMMENDATION: City Manager Approval: Jerry B. Fulwood (10/18/2006) Staff recommends the City Council approves the release of an RFP seeking bids for a Citywide Municipal Wireless Mesh system. BACKGROUND: Wireless computer technology (wifi) allows an individual to connect their computer to the Internet without phone lines or cable connections. Available in public places this allows people to work away from their home or place of business. Businesses and communities across the world are now making available connections to the general public. Connections are either free or paid on an hourly or subscription basis depending on the business or community. The reasons for providing this service ranges from profit to bridging the digital divide in the community to creating incentives for the public to come to targeted areas of the community. Culver City created its own wireless hotspot in a 10 square block area downtown called Town Plaza Wifi (TPWifi). Created as an economic development tool it has enjoyed great success and been written up as a successful example of municipal wifi in many articles since its inauguration. TPWifi is a free connection for anyone to use in the downtown area served by the system. No other section of Culver City is reached by TPWifi. Communities are moving from providing localized hotspots of wifi access to community wide access. The Internet is becoming viewed as the next utility i...
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