I am pleased to report the Wireless Miami-Dade Initiative is producing results.  Beginning in February 2008, four of Miami-Dade County’s largest public parks will be providing free wireless service to residents and visitors as part of a six-month pilot program. 

The objectives of the Wireless Miami-Dade Initiative have not changed.  The goal remains to create an environment that is technologically appealing to residents, visitors and businesses; to establish and maintain a sense of community safety; and to reach out to underserved residents.

What we did not want to do when rolling out the Wireless Miami-Dade initiative is launch a service that was economically and technically unfeasible.  Several communities before us attempted to do too much too soon only to learn that their models were impractical, and more importantly, costly to taxpayers.  As you know, when services are provided, at the end of the day someone has to pay.  As a result, Miami-Dade County has opted not to build its own Wi-Fi network as a public works project.

Instead, we have partnered with four Wi-Fi providers:  Motorola, Nortel, Cisco and Wialan.  The pilot programs are beginning at Tropical, Tamiami, Goulds and Amelia Earhart Parks.  Depending on the level of success, we will look to expand Wi-Fi access to additional County parks, as well as other County facilities, such as Metrorail and Metromover stations.  While we are no longer seeking to blanket every square foot of the County with Wi-Fi access, we are instead focusing on providing reliable and technologically pleasing service at selected and convenient County sites.

This measured approach has led to another added benefit – utilizing the Wi-Fi pilot systems to increase public safety.  The four existing Wi-Fi sites are equipped with security cameras which allow law enforcement to view real-time video of park activities, and better ensure the safety of our residents, particularly children.  In fact, a camera installed at one of our Wi-Fi equipped parks has already captured an illegal act that would have previously gone undetected.  Equipped with indisputable video, it is much more likely that law enforcement can successfully arrest and prosecute the individuals involved.  When word spreads about the added security to our parks, it will likely serve as a deterrent for those who would otherwise seek to break the law.

The bottom line is we are making progress.  I am confident that in the coming weeks and months, more and more of our residents and visitors will learn about the free Wi-Fi service and take advantage of it. 

Updated 1/31/08