Telecom Lead America: Wireless broadband solutions provider Alvarion said the City of Cleburne, Texas, has installed a private wireless network for public safety connectivity.
Alvarion solutions enabled the City of Cleburne to reduce the costs associated with the use of wireless broadband cards.
For offering better performance, the network uses Alvarion’s BreezeMAX Extreme base stations in the secure 4.9 GHz band connected to BreezeMAX Vehicular Subscriber Units installed in the City’s police vehicles.
Currently, police vehicles use laptop connected to the city’s fiber network and information systems via a wireless broadband card. This type of wireless connectivity is costly. The City of Cleburne implemented a private wireless network that eliminates recurring charges and readily expand to other city services and public works as it continues to expand the network, replacing all wireless broadband cards.
“We immediately realized the benefit of expanding connectivity to additional public works and city vehicles and envisioned additional smart city applications such as public access and hot spots which will further improve the quality of life for our citizens and promote our City as a holiday destination,” said Willie Resto, MIS Manager, City of Cleburne.
The system was completely non-disruptive to the City of Cleburne’s Police Force and allowed City Officials to continue with business as usual. Network management is provided by Alvarion’s AlvariStar system. An on-site training course taught the City’s Information Managers to program both base stations and VSUs and will allow for complete autonomy of network programming in future expansions.
“Our wireless solutions are helping municipalities and cities achieve savings in both CAPEX and OPEX that will that will continue to be realized for years to come,” said Udi Ben-David, general manager of Americas at Alvarion.
Expansion to other city services has already begun with installation of the VSU in fire trucks and other field vehicles. Other departments have also approached the City’s MIS team with specific requirements and are coming up with innovative ways to increase productivity using the wireless network such as completing paper work and reports online from the field.
Recently, Alvarion has partnered with PLDT for a multi-million dollar Wi-Fi project. The project will provide carrier-grade Wi-Fi access starting with over 3,000 hot zones around Manila’s metropolitan area, and continuing to other major areas around the Philippines.
