What is Smart City? Imagine a city where all children have equal access to Internet resources to learn, where adults can access online job training and other necessary resources. A city where everyone is connected to the safety and health resources that can improve quality of life. altafiber has implemented a variety of Smart City initiatives to bring free Wi-Fi to cities, venues, and campuses. While each opportunity is different, the process is similar. Build a foundation of fiber and Wi-Fi, then prioritize and implement the Smart City technologies critical to those needs. The Smart City vision ignites economic growth, improves public safety, powers a more efficient government, and bridges the digital divide through the proliferation of ubiquitous, high-speed broadband Internet access.
To name a few, altafiber has partnered with the City of Cincinnati, Levitt Pavilion in Dayton, Covington and City of Fairborn to provide a Public Wi-Fi Network. Read about these Smart City launches and their success stories below:
City of Cincinnati:
In 2018, altafiber delivered free, high-speed Wi-Fi along the 3.6 mile altafiber Connector route and adjacent areas. altafiber delivered those Wi-Fi solutions using approximately 155 fiber-fed access points, existing small cell solutions that complemented altafiber's existing high-speed, fiber-fed public Wi-Fi networks at 14 iconic locations in Greater Cincinnati and supported more than 600 wireless access points.
“Technology is the great equalizer in many ways, so being able to help eliminate the digital divide is a great thing for our residents and an important move in the right direction for Cincinnati. The City looks forward to this partnership with Cincinnati Bell as we know it will help create a better, more competitive, and smart Cincinnati.” - Mayor John Cranley
The City of Cincinnati is also in the process of installing a new ‘fiber ring’ around the entire Central Business District. The fiber project and “Smart Cities Initiative Phase 1” lay the groundwork for a local smart-city grid that will enable the City to take part in a variety of opportunities that will benefit residents, businesses and visitors. This includes creating additional opportunities for private businesses to utilize the grid, as well as enabling possible future ‘smart’ innovations such as connected and/or autonomous vehicles, and environmental sensors that alert the City to improve Cincinnati’s overall economic competitiveness. The City of Cincinnati & altafiber are positioning Cincinnati to be a true City of the Future.
Levitt Pavilion Dayton:
altafiber partnered with Levitt Pavilion Dayton to provide free public Wi-Fi for concertgoers. Every season, Levitt Pavilion Dayton presents 50 free concerts of diverse and high-caliber programming with the intention of bringing our community together in a creative placemaking space that is safe and family-friendly.
“We are very grateful for their commitment and enthusiasm to this project, and we are proud to have them as our technology partner moving forward. This collaborative approach to this project is a great example of the many partnerships that are contributing to the success of Levitt Pavilion Dayton. We look forward to seeing everyone on the lawn!” – Lisa Wagner, Executive Director of Levitt Pavilion Dayton
Covington Public Wi-Fi Network:
altafiber and Renaissance Covington, a non-profit, also had a partnership to launch a public Wi-Fi network in Covington’s Central Business District that connected people and provided local business and wayfinding information. By Cincinnati Bell providing Gigabit Fioptics Internet throughout Covington’s Central Business District, Renaissance Covington has worked to catalyze positive change in downtown Covington. The network extends roughly from 2nd street to 10th street going North and South, and from Madison Avenue and Scott Street going East and West.
From housing to historic rehabilitation, and entertainment to new job opportunities, there’s an energetic vibe in Covington’s urban core that’s growing stronger by the day. Much of that transformation is happening because of strategic public-private partnerships like the public Wi-Fi network. It will greatly contribute to the experience of both visitors and downtown workers.
“Public Wi-Fi offers a new dimension to our urban core by offering a public service while also strengthening public spaces. It opens possibilities for distribution of information and broader community engagements. We are grateful for our partnership with altafiber, and for the generous financial contributions from our valued partners.” - Katie Meyer, Executive Director of Renaissance Covington
City of Fairborn:
The City of Fairborn, Ohio and altafiber partnered to provide a public Wi-Fi network downtown as part of the city’s economic development efforts and commitment to supporting small businesses. The Wi-Fi network provides connectivity to downtown visitors, and generates valuable data analytics that the city and its businesses can leverage to better serve residents and customers.
“As broadband needs continue to grow, fiber technology allows us to remain competitive, attract new businesses to our community and increase productivity. Municipal networks create jobs by ensuring businesses and consumers have fast, affordable and reliable Internet access.” - Pete Bales, Fairborn Assistant City Manager
For a deeper dive into Smart City and inside the Wi-Fi project illuminating Cincinnati’s Smart City vision, read John Putnam’s interview about Cincinnati’s launch into the smart city space. Make sure to subscribe to the blog for updates about Smart City and other altafiber Business related content.
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