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Wireless Internet

June 25, 2007

Frontier gets city’s Wi-Fi contract

The firm will build system, which includes surveillance, throughout Wilkes-Barre.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – Mayor Tom Leighton Thursday pointed to a firetruck parked along Public Square as he announced that the city had selected Frontier Communications as its provider for the citywide wireless system.

“Imagine a fire engine, like the one you see over there, equipped with a wireless laptop,” Leighton said during the press conference. “Our firefighters could access building plans while they are responding to an emergency, increasing the safety of residents and fellow firefighters.”

That’s just one of the many benefits of having the Wi-Fi system, Leighton said.

“As Wilkes-Barre continues its economic and social renaissance, wireless capability will benefit local government, the business community, our school districts, institutions of higher learning and our residents in every neighborhood throughout the city,” Leighton said. “Frontier and Wire Free Wilkes-Barre have come together to build a wireless network at no cost to city taxpayers.”

Leighton also said the wireless initiative will enhance public safety with the installation of surveillance cameras in strategic locations throughout the city. He said the cameras will make the streets safer and they will act as a major deterrent in the city police department’s fight against drugs.

In a statement provided by Frontier, Maggie Wilderotter, the company’s chairwoman and chief executive officer, said her company is proud to strengthen its presence in Wilkes-Barre.

“We want the communities we serve to be at the top of the technology curve,” Wilderotter said. “Staying connected via wireless broadband (Internet) access is what business and residential customers, students, visitors and commuters want, need and will enjoy through Frontier.”

Frontier is part of Citizens Communications Company (NYSE: CZN), a full-service communications provider and one of the largest exchange telephone companies in the country. Ken Arndt, vice president and general manager of Frontier Pennsylvania, attended the press conference on Public Square. He said Frontier employs more than 1,000 people in Pennsylvania and more than 6,000 in 23 states.

Wire Free Wilkes-Barre, a nonprofit corporation founded in 2006, is a partnership between the city, Luzerne County, King’s College and Wilkes University. Wire Free Wilkes-Barre’s mission is to enhance public safety, increase economic development and improve government efficiency through the implementation of broadband wireless Internet network throughout Wilkes-Barre. J.J. Murphy, the city administrator, also serves as chief executive officer of Wire Free Wilkes-Barre at no salary.

“The mayor would not accept anything less than coverage for the entire city,” Murphy said. “Even during the infant stages of this project, he understood the vast potential for great things and he instructed us to include the entire city in this venture.”

Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak said he wants the wire-free system to become a countywide initiative because he feels it will be a critical tool in attracting new, higher-paying jobs to the county.

“The old saying is time is money,” Skrepenak said. “And this is especially true when competing in the modern market when we try to attract new business here that will pay a family sustaining wage. This technology makes us more competitive and it makes us far more safe.”

Murphy said Wire Free Wilkes-Barre and Frontier will negotiate the final agreement, and Murphy said he hopes work to be done on the campuses of King’s and Wilkes by Aug. 18 and the entire project to be completed by the end of 2007.

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