Northern Ireland: City of Forefathers shows the way in WiFi

BOSTON and DERRY, Northern Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7,
2006--Derry - the ancient walled city (the walls date from the 17th
Century) has stepped into the 21st Century by embracing the WiFi
culture. Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland was the original home of
the emigrants who settled the Town of Londonderry, New Hampshire in
1718 (and later, nearby Derry, New Hampshire)." in 1718 to start a new
life without religious wars and persecution.


There will be a leading edge wireless network within the city's walls
by April 2006. This will mean that Derry will be among the first
cities in Europe to have full coverage.

Evolution Systems from Cheshire will install the Wi-Fi network. They
are collaborating with California based Tropos Networks, Inc., who's
President and CEO is Ron Sege a former chairman of the Massachusetts
Telecommunications Council. Tropos have developed the infrastructure
to accommodate the network.

The WiFi system is a collaboration between the local council, the
University of Ulster Magee and the North West Institute of Further and
Higher education.

The private sector will be actively engaged in the project through the
Wireless Technology Centre, which will provide independent advice and
hands on experience of the latest wireless technologies available to
local companies.

Pat Ramsey, chair of Derry City Council's development committee, said:
"Work is already well under way to make council properties and the
University of Ulster campus wireless broadband enabled.

"We are now going to provide wireless broadband coverage for the
entire city centre. Our aim is to encourage businesses to develop new
services and applications to utilise this wireless working
environment."

A study on WiFi in Boston, commissioned by the Boston Foundation was
due to be released mid January 2006. This is expected to kick start
Boston in developing a much needed city wide WiFi network like those
soon to be available in San Francisco and in Philadelphia.

The report has been delayed already and Boston, as a technology hub,
has surprised many by failing to move more aggressively to establish
such a network throughout the city. WiFi is currently only available
in the Roslindale area of Boston with plans for three pilot schemes in
West Roxbury, Washington Gateway, and Hyde Park.