HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS4 - Wi-Fi NetworkMeeting Date: September 26, 2006
Study Session Item No.: SS4
.Subject: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) -
WIRELESS FIDELITY ( "WIFI")
NETWORK ACROSS NEWPORT
BEACH.
Please refer to Agenda Item No. 7 on the Regular
Meeting Agenda for the staff report.
Thank you!
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Community -Wide Wi-Fl*
Newport Beach City Council
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
What we will cover
■ Requests for wireless internet access
❑ How people get Internet today
• What is Wi -Fi ( "Wireless Fidelity ")?
• Proposed Request for Proposals (RFP)
❑ Concerns /issues raised since the draft RFP was
prepared.
• What happens next?
• For more information
Whyw'ue le s s ?
• Residents, people who work here, and
visitors expect their office to follow them
wherever they go.
• Today, you can access the internet via:
• Hard -wired facilities — cable modems, DSL, dial -
up
• Typical cell phone providers (Sprint, Verizon, etc.)
• At "hotspots" (NBPL, Starbucks, City Hall)
What is Wi-Fi.)
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The Proposed RFP
• Invites vendors to propose the development
of a community -wide Wi -Fi network. It could
be:
❑ Constructed entirely by the vendor;
❑ Funded entirely through the vendor's billings for
subscriptions /access time;
❑ Funded by advertising revenue;
❑ Installed on City streetlights (City owns about 95%
of the community's streetlights).
More about the RFP
■ Concerns /Issues raised since the staff report with
draft RFP went out:
a Exclusivity. Special Counsel Bill Marticorena advises
against authorizing an exclusive right to use the City's
streetlights. Reasons:
■ An under - capitalized company might have to bail,
leaving the streetlight use in question. "It's not worth
that risk," says Bill.
• No reason that Bill knows of to grant exclusivity —
companies have used "technology" in the past, but
experts like Jonathan Kramer say that's not so.
• Marketplace plus most legislation at State and Federal
levels are directing the industry towards a more open
system.
More about the RFP (cont'd)
■ Concerns /Issues raised since the staff report
with draft RFP went out:
❑ Encouraging Smaller Providers. Some have
suggested that the RFP's presumption that the
City will not invest capital or assets in the Project
might limit responses to the largest vendors. As
such, they recommend keeping the door open
within the RFP to:
• Having the City assist with facility construction;
• Having the City provide use of or access to existing
wireless infrastructure (including wi -fi facilities at
lifeguard towers).
More about the RFP (cont'd)
■ Concerns /issues raised since the staff report with
draft RFP went out:
o Use of the Wi -Fi Network for Illegal Purposes. The Police
Department has expressed some concern that extensive
use of wireless facilities — while admittedly a technology of
the future — will allow predators to have untraceable access
to the Web from across the community. Related:
■ This can happen today at any hotspot.
■ The City can ask within the RFP that the proposer
include the latest technology in security to protect the
subscriber base from becoming victims.
What's Next
• Council tonight will consider authorizing staff
to issue the RFP.
• RFP goes out, proposals returned by the
close of October.
■ Media and Communications Committee
would review the responses in late 2006 and
offer a recommendation to Council as to:
❑ a specific firm or firms;
❑ proceed differently; or
❑ stop the process.
For More Information
• RFP will be up on the City's website.
• Anaheim, Corona, Mountain View, and other
cities.
■ E -mail us:
❑ dkiff(a-),citv.newPort-
■ Call us:
❑ 949 - 644 -3002