A growing muni network in Portsmouth, N.H., inspired by volunteers and funded by grants and donated equipment, will earn its keep as a real-world interoperability testing platform for the University of New Hampshire’s Interoperability Lab while city residents and visitors enjoy free access on it.
With a $10,000 grant and $90,000 worth of donated equipment, the eCoast Wi-Fi project of Portsmouth, N.H. and the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce plan to expand free Wi-Fi to much of the city’s downtown by the end of the year.The eCoast Wi-Fi project of Portsmouth, N.H., an initiative launched by private citizens, has been working with the city, the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, and other groups to bring free wireless access to the city.
Recently, the project received a $10,000 state grant and $90,000 worth of donated equipment to expand a downtown hot spot. Financing was provided through a state Department of Resources and Economic Development grant that was matched by Cisco Systems.
The expansion, to be completed in two phases, will add 14 more hot spot clouds and offer free access to residents and visitors. But education and economic development are really the drivers here. The network will earn its keep as a real-world interoperability testing platform for the University of New Hampshire’s Interoperability Lab.
Scott Campbell, one of the founders of eCoast Wi-Fi, discusses the rationale on his blog.
Click here to read more about eCoast Wi-Fi.
Click here to read the Seacoast Online story.
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