NeoReach to Supply WiFi Infrastructure to City of Yuma, AZ

By Laura Stotler

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

The city of Yuma, AZ has entered an agreement with NeoReach, Inc. to supply the city with a WiFi (News - Alert) network infrastructure. The new offering will cover the 25 most-populous square mile of Yuma and will be accessible by computer, PDAs and cellular phones.

 

NeoReach plans to use public infrastructure including light poles and roofs of public buildings to build the network. Citizens and businesses will access the WiFi network on a tiered payment system.

 

Installation of access points is slated to begin in the fall and be completed by spring of next year. The installation of the access points that will carry the network is expected to begin in the fall and be completed by spring next year. According to Greg Wilkinson, Yuma assistant information technology services director, the city will offer four areas known as “drinking fountains,” where people can use two hours of free WiFi access each day. The city's Web site will also be accessible at all times for free to anyone with a WiFi-capable device.

NeoReach also plans to offer customer premise equipment (CPE) that can be placed in a residence or business and deliver a strong signal to penetrate buildings. No money is changing hands between the city and NeoReach, and city employees will be allowed to use the system for free in exchange for allowing the NeoReach to build it. The city will pay for the electricity for the access points, which it expects to cost $15,000 a year.

"It's a nice amenity that it brings to the city," said Karrie Rockwell, NeoReach director of business development and public relations. "It allows for a real-time workforce for the city and for private citizens as well." Rockwell said high speeds will be possible with CPEs. "We can provide comparable services to a T1 line for a business," she said.

The costs to subscribe to the citywide "outdoor roaming network" will be $3.95 per hour, $7.95 per day, $19.95 per week or $29.95 per month, Rockwell said.

"You would be able to watch a sunset and at the same time you could do your homework," said Elizabeth Leishman, an employee at Barnes & Noble Bookseller's in Yuma. Barnes & Noble offers free WiFi in the store, Leishman said. She added that she would have to see what using WiFi cost before considering using it in her home to replace her current Internet access. "It's kind of cool actually," she said. "It's a good step forward for Yuma."

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Laura Stotler writes about IP Communications and related topics for TMCnet. She has covered VoIP and related technologies for seven years, contributing to Internet Telephony magazine and TMCnet, and as a freelance writer. To see more articles, please visit: Laura Stotler’s columnist page.