Tropos Networks Inc. will provide its Tropos Wi-Fi equipment to enable the deployment of a metro-scale Wi-Fi network in downtown Baton Rouge, La. The network will be managed by 802.11 services provider Verge Wireless Networks Inc.
The Tropos system works like a mesh network in which Wi-Fi cells communicate with each other, creating paths back to just one wired node as opposed to requiring a backhaul access point for each Wi-Fi access point.
“Mesh technology allows us to deploy these antennas in an area without having to put a backhaul on them,” explained Carlo MacDonald, president of Verge. The system, therefore, cuts installation and operational costs for service providers.
Downtown Baton Rouge is currently undergoing revitalization efforts, including the building of a new convention center, hotel and casinos, which according to MacDonald makes it an ideal location for Tropos’ network. Verge plans to target law firms, government agencies, public safety and private companies based in the city as paying customers, enabling it to offer free Wi-Fi service to visitors to the city.
Verge also plans to expand in the future to offer similar services in other cities, including New Orleans, where it has investigated installing wireless security cameras. The company also plans to create customized wireless applications for end users. The Tropos network will be accessible to Wi-Fi-enabled devices through a free online portal featuring downtown Baton Rouge. The portal will include advertising space, another potential revenue stream for Verge.
Tropos unveiled its business plan in May and said then it had deployed the system for use in several municipal public-safety sites and for service providers, including Coastside Net, which is using Tropos products to provide wireless “hot zone” service in downtown Half Moon Bay, Calif., where it is headquartered. In June, the company received an investment from the Intel Communications Fund as part of Intel’s $150 million commitment to invest in companies accelerating the adoption of Wi-Fi wireless networks.
