Milledgeville, a Georgia city, has announced plans to create a wireless Internet network that will help improve economic development in the city. Chief among these improvements is increased access to education and government services.
Clearwire (
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Grants have also been given in support of the development by the Georgia Technology Authority, a state agency which has awarded a grant of $862,000 towards funding the network. Also, the Knight Foundation and One Community, both non-profit organizations said they will provide the Internet access to low-to-moderate-income persons in the city.
Georgia Technology Authority will facilitate the deployment of the wireless network with its grant and Clearwire, will provide the emerging wireless platform (WiMAX (
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The city will be first to use WiMAX technology which will cover about 15 to 17 square miles and will provide benefit to public safety as well as allow for investments in economic development and future growth.
James Nice, community program director for OneCommunity (
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The city also said it will use the network to streamline billing efforts in the water department via a centralized billing system that uses wireless broadcasting as well as help the Department of Transportation in the timing traffic lights on U.S. Highway 441.
Shamila Janakiraman is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Shamila’s articles, please visit her columnist page.