Municipal Wireless Networks
Luis Gerardo Pena
Topics
• Introduction
• Deployment motivation
• Technologies
• Economic aspects
• Case studies
• Discussion
Topics
• Introduction
• Deployment motivation
• Technologies
• Economic aspects
• Case studies
• Discussion
Introduction
• What are Municipal Wireless Networks?
Image source: news.rice.edu
MWN covering a huge area of the city. Image source: sfgov.org
Topics
• Introduction
• Deployment
motivation
• Technologies
• Economic aspects
• Case studies
• Discussion
Deployment Motivation
• Economic growth & Tax base increase
Image: interviewstream.com Attract more business
and investors.
Image: vancouverconventioncenter.ca Provide added value to local
convention centers.
Image source: technocalifornia.blogspot.com Attract more tourists.
Deployment Motivation
• Municipal cost reduction
Image: toronto.ca
Support internal operations and services to the community.
Increased productivity: Easy access to schedules, email, office systems, and collaboration tools.
Image: vettecorp.com
More efficient utility monitoring Image: insuranceeditor.com
Deployment Motivation
• Enhancement of public safety.
Image: security-technologynews.com Base of Operations
Image: alcaldesdemexico.com
Cost effective surveillance systems
Image: gtafs.ca
Unified emergency networks - response times Image: techjaws.com Image: ikedabarry.com
Deployment Motivation
• Breaking the digital divide within the
community
Image: mooreslore.corante.com Having or not access to the
internet
Image source: thumbnails-visually.netdna-ssl.com Aguascalientes, Mexico. Digital divide - 2012
Deployment Motivation
• Breaking the rural vs urban digital divide in the
municipality
Installation of a satellite internet connection in some rural areas. Image: manaslucircuittrek.com. Low concentration areas are
unattractive to internet service providers.
Alternatives:
56K dialup modems - Slow Satellite connections - High
Topics
• Introduction
• Deployment motivation
• Technologies
• Economic aspects
• Case studies
• Discussion
Municipal Wireless Networks mainly built using
Mesh Wireless Networks.
Mesh network diagram. Image: infocom.uniroma1.it
Architecture
• Mesh Wireless
Networks
Wireless mesh networks often consist of mesh clients, mesh routers and gateways.
Mesh router on street light. Image : gnswireless.com
Architecture
• Mesh Wireless
Networks
Radio network often referred as mesh cloud.
Reliable and offers redundancy.
Can self form and self heal.
Can be implemented with various wireless technologies including Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, or combinations of more
Wi-Fi
The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrum, in which Wi-Fi operates, does not require licence (very cluttered, which makes the band prone to
hackers and interference).
Standardization of the technology through IEEE and Wi-Fi alliance allows for great interoperability.
The large scale production of Wi-Fi chipsets has reduced the costs and increased the dissemination of the technology.
4G Networks
The 2 most successful “flavors” of 4G are: WiMAX and LTE.
Advantages
Similar to Wi-Fi but at higher speeds (100 Mbps), over greater distances (50km) and for a greater number of users.
Disadvantages:
Tower costs.
WiMAX and LTE enabled clients are not as common as Wi-Fi clients.
WiMAX underlying technology is the same as LTE’s. Image: computer.howstuffworks.com
Hybrids
“Prior to the deployment of the Wi-Fi mesh network, passengers
lost cellular connection as soon as they entered a tunnel.”
Topics
• Introduction
• Deployment motivation
• Technologies
• Economic aspects
• Case studies
• Discussion
Economic Aspects
• Business Models
Economic Aspects
• Causes Financial Struggles
Reaching critical mass.
Not understanding the technology.
Topics
• Introduction
• Deployment motivation
• Technologies
• Economic aspects
• Case studies
• Discussion
Case Studies
San Francisco
• Request for a proposal:
Network to be built, operated and maintained at no cost to the city.
Basic level of the service should be free. Premium services can be charged but price should be lower than the existing alternatives. Entire city should be covered. Outdoors must cover 95% of the city,
Case Studies
San Francisco
• Proposals:
Consortium EarthLink & Google Metro WiFi
NextWLAN RedTap
Case Studies
San Francisco
• Salient models:
RedTap: Cooperative model: Training + Wi-Fi PCs and laptops for underserved residents.
Cisco & IBM partnered with Seakay: Finance project through non-profit fundraising and in kind donations.
Case Studies
San Francisco
• Process:
Committee evaluated proposals and did oral interviews. EarthLink and Google won.
After win, final contract negotiations lasted for 6 months. Contract signed (Jan 2007)
City council and city’s public utilities commission had to approve by Jun 2007.
Case Studies
San Francisco
• Process:
Discussions on antenna aesthetics on city poles, privacy, weather the city should build and operate own network, keep project stalled at City council.
On July 2007 mayor announces issue will be on election ballot of Nov 2007.
EarthLink announces withdrawal from project (August 2007).
By end of the study (mid 2008) no mayor wireless initiative announcements.
Case Studies
San Francisco
• Current state:
The map shows both active and planned wireless service. Image: sfgov.org
Wi-Fi service in selected areas and parks of the city (ov. 2014).
Case Studies
Chihuahua, Mexico.
• Inception:
Announced in Oct. 2008.
2 parks and touristic corridor. Plan to cover 95% of the city.
Coverage of the network at project launch. Image: Google maps, Chihuahua Ciudad Digital.
Case Studies
Chihuahua, Mexico.
• Motivation:
Strengthen the police force.
Savings: Intensive usage of private cellular network was too costly (all police systems).
Case Studies
Chihuahua, Mexico.
• Alternative uses:
Extension of the services to schools, underprivileged neighborhoods and rural areas. Along with hardware donations and training centers. Equipment of 500 police cars, deployment of 48 street cameras and
40,000 panic buttons.
Digitalization of municipal services.
Integration of municipal systems allows the creation of a unified center for citizen care/customer service.
Case Studies
Chihuahua, Mexico.
• Alternative uses:
Monitoring of the transit system improves times and logistics.
Free internet access in public transit.
Digital patient records and telemedicine including connection to other health centers in and outside the country.
Case Studies
Chihuahua, Mexico.
• Future applications:
Integration among all hospitals and health centers in the municipality (in process).
Smart street lighting prototype. Image: elheraldodechihuahua.com.mx
Plans for a smart street lighting system.
Further integration towards a smart city.
Case Studies
• Lessons Learned:
Connected city.
Image: petalosdemanzanilla.weebly.com
Infrastructure has unlimited number of applications.
Importance of a long term plan. Municipal Wireless Networks
