Company to offer free wireless Web access downtown
By DANIEL VALENTINE, Staff Writer
Anyone with a laptop computer, Palm Pilot or Blackberry could access the Internet outdoors for free in downtown Annapolis as soon as this spring.
Officials for Annapolis Wireless Internet said yesterday they plan to launch the wireless local network in the next 90 days, offering high-speed service to visitors and boaters.
"We're planning significant coverage of the downtown area," CEO Phil McQuade said.
Formed eight months ago, the company is a partnership of Sidus Group, Sponsorships Development Systems LLC and Onsyte Technologies Inc. Onsyte Technologies, owned by Victor DeLeon, has outfitted City Dock with wireless networks during the U.S. sailboat and powerboat shows for three years.
In return for getting free access to the Web and e-mail, users would be directed a home page of roughly 40 sponsoring businesses. Mr. McQuade would not name the participating companies yesterday, or the cost of the system.
"They will cover the cost of the network," said Mr. McQuade.
The system will start to go online next month, as company officials begin setting up a wireless "canopy." The boundaries for reliable service would extend from Spa Creek to the top of Main Street, with limited service in the waters of Back Creek and the South River.
Creators are targeting the wireless signal to outdoor users. Coverage could be spotty indoors, around buildings or in residential neighborhoods.
"It's not designed for home users," Mr. McQuade said. "These are supposed to be hot spots designed to be a convenience and a courtesy."
The key target for the free network will be the city harbor, where more than 15,000 boats dock each year - all looking for restaurants, boat supplies and other services.
"(The boaters) are the core of our concentration right now," Mr. McQuade said. "It's a large area where a lot of people are."
Citywide wireless networks have become one of the latest economic development tools nationwide, including in Philadelphia and San Francisco. Today, most laptop computers come with a wireless Internet card built in.
"It's a great idea," said Steve Duffy, who already offers wireless service at his City Dock Coffee locations. "The Internet has become such a normal part of people's everyday lives."
Economic development officials agree.
"It's an important asset to have as a community," said Bill Badger, president and chief executive of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp. "A lot of people like to use the Internet wherever they are."
Wireless coverage has been a goal for city officials for two years.
But costs for the project have ranged from $25,000 to $250,000, and local businesses were not interested in combining on the cost, Economic Development Director Mike Miron said.
The free Internet portals are one part of Annapolis Wireless' business plan. The company already offers consulting services to set up local businesses with wireless access, as well as e-mail and Web site hosting.
Annapolis Wireless officials could not provide details on placement of antennas and available bandwidth from the network. Company officials will update progress of the new network on their Web site, www.annapolis-wireless.com.
"There's a lot of testing and evaluation in this process," said Mark Powell, president of Sidus Group.
---
dvalentine@capitalgazette.com
Published January 05, 2006, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2006 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
For more information contact:
Philip McQuade at 443.321.3743 ~ or ~ Philip@annapoliswireless.com
