Winston-Salem, NC citywide Wi-Fi in final testing phase

Winston-Salem, North Carolina will begin testing the citywide wireless broadband network on August 27 in downtown Winston-Salem. The WinstonNet Wireless Initiative chose a consortium consisting of Azulstar, Cisco and IBM to deploy the network.Winston-Salem, North Carolina will begin testing the citywide wireless broadband network on August 27 in downtown Winston-Salem. Last October 2006, the WinstonNet Wireless Initiative chose a consortium consisting of Azulstar, Cisco and IBM to deploy the network.

The plan is more ambitious than just unwiring Winston-Salem. Ultimately, WinstonNet wants to extend wireless broadband to other communities in Forsyth County.

The network will cost $7 million to build and wireless access will be available by the end of the year with the entire city covered in another 12 months.