City-Wide Wireless Network to Residents and Businesses

Firetide, Inc., a developer of wireless mesh networks, and Stratus Technologies Group, a provider of wireless broadband communications networks, back office, and operational services, tells Zalud’s Blog that they will partner to deploy a wireless broadband network in Doral, Fla. The City's wireless mesh network will provide Internet access and services including email, VoIP, and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) to residents and businesses, Doral municipal government, and its new police department.

After evaluating a number of integrators and mesh hardware vendors, the City of Doral awarded the contract to Stratus Technologies Group, which will spearhead the City-wide project that brings together a team of 10 leading technology companies including Firetide. The wireless broadband network will be designed by Stanford alumnus Dr. Rafael Marrero-Gonzalez, chief scientist, Stratus Technologies Group. The network will be based on the Firetide wireless mesh infrastructure, including 500-plus Firetide HotPort mesh nodes and Firetide HotPoint access points covering 15 square miles.

"Our municipal wireless broadband network will foster social mobility, fuel continued economic growth, and promote innovation in an affordable manner for our citizens and businesses,” said Doral City Manager Sergio Purriños. "Stratus and Firetide demonstrated to us that they have the most comprehensive solution involving the best partners in the industry, and they know the most effective way to approach this project. We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding relationship as we move ahead deploying the network.”

The project will be rolled out in three phases. In the first phase, Internet access and email service will be implemented; in Phase Two, VoIP will be deployed; and in the third phase, IPTV. Future projects will include adding public safety capabilities to the network such as video surveillance, and using the wireless network to support mobile City operations.

"We are excited to be working with such a strong team of leading business and technical people and an all-star group of external partners such as Firetide,” said Jorge Reyes, CEO and president of Stratus Technologies Group. "With our unique understanding of Doral's technological requirements, and our first-hand knowledge of the City's demographics and potential business opportunities, we are confident that this project will deliver to the City exactly what it needs.”

"This deployment is the result of a strong collaborative effort between Stratus and Firetide to provide a wireless network that supports Doral's requirements now and well into the future,” said Bo Larsson, CEO of Firetide. "With Firetide as the wireless network infrastructure, the City's businesses and residents can be confident that the network is secure, highly reliable, and can grow as their needs grow. We are pleased that both Stratus and Doral have placed their trust in Firetide.”