Nortel takes on more municipal wireless projects

NEWTON, Mass.--Nortel is deploying municipal wireless networks in North Carolina and Colorado, the company announced at MuniWireless New England on Monday.

Through a partnership with Front Range Internet, a Colorado municipal service provider, Nortel will help provide municipal wireless services to cities along the I-25 corridor outside of Denver.

Nortel has been contracted to supply wireless integration applications, services and technology for two years, according to a company statement.

The municipal wireless services will include applications for police and fire departments accessing sensitive data, as well as city services such as reading water meters and access for libraries.

The North Carolina deployment covers downtown Greenville, and is being undertaken in partnership with WindChannel Communications, another Internet service provider. The network, located primarily in downtown Greenville, will offer free wireless access to residents, in addition to municipal wireless services for first responders.

"Greenville wants to rejuvenate their downtown area. East Carolina University students' main campus is not too far from there and they want to attract more students," said Angela Singhal Whiteford, director of municipal solutions for Nortel.

"It's a defining feature now for universities to provide wireless," she said. "Students expect that, and the city of Greenville is responding to that."