MINNEAPOLIS—Internet Service Provider US Internet won a contract to build and operate a 54-square-mile, citywide Wi-Fi network in Minneapolis using equipment from BelAir Networks.
The agreement spells out that the city will pay US Internet $2.2 million up front and $1.25 million a year so that the city’s facilities, as well as police and fire emergency services can become anchor tenants on the Wi-Fi network.
Minnetonka, Minn.-based US Internet beat out more than 80 other companies for the Minneapolis contract, including EarthLink Inc., which has won contracts to build networks in Philadelphia, San Francisco and New Orleans, to name a few. Traditionally, EarthLink has used single-radio Wi-Fi equipment from both Tropos Networks Inc. and Motorola Inc.
US Internet said Wi-Fi access to the Minneapolis network will cost residents and businesses about $20 per month for 1 megabit per second speeds. The company said the price would be guaranteed for 10 years. The company also indicated that a digital-inclusion program is being developed to offer certain qualifying residents discounted Internet access.
Construction is set to begin soon and is expected to take about a year for the BelAir-equipped Wi-Fi network.
Karl Kaiser, chief information officer of Minneapolis’ city government, said the city was “very pleased” with the performance of US Internet’s pilot network featuring BelAir’s Wi-Fi technology.
BelAir pointed out that its Wi-Fi networking equipment is already up and running in other cities such as London and Toronto. The company’s gear is considered high-end in Wi-Fi circles because it packs multiple radios and antennas into its access points.
