Economic Development
Dublin Goes Wireless, Broadband Access Expanded
Dublin’s been called one of the hottest places to live by Money magazine. Soon everyone will recognize the entire City as a “hot spot” when Dublin goes wireless.
The wireless computer capabilities will offer endless technological advances once thought to be far into the future. Just imagine:
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Dublin police arriving at what appeared to be a routine call only to find a volatile situation. With streaming video, the scene is relayed to headquarters and back-up officers are immediately dispatched.
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Being able to create a virtual office and connect to the Internet or fax documents from anywhere in the City, even from a park bench or golf course.
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Schoolchildren watching via individual laptop computers live research experiments being conducted by prestigious universities.
All of those examples are possibilities. As part of the 2005-2009 Capital Improvements Plan hearings, Dublin City Council approved funds to expand the City’s broadband access network known as DubLink and offer wireless service to the entire community.
DubLink, Dublin’s existing system of underground fiber-optic conduits, provides high-speed voice, data and video communications to businesses. The network saves corporations time and money by providing an existing “telecommunications pathway” within the City’s business district on which businesses can lease space rather than construct their own lines.
The expanded network promises to position Dublin as “An Intelligent Community.” The designation represents a commitment to creating a culture of intelligence defined by broadband infrastructure, a knowledgeable workforce, a system for supporting innovation and the ability to market the strengths of the City.
Broadband access is viewed as being vital to government and business in order to remain competitive in a global economy. Like seaports in the 1790s and railroads in the 1890s, broadband is said to be this century’s most efficient means of connecting commerce and consumers. It’s proven to be faster, easier and better than dial-up connections to disseminate information and data.
Intelligent communities see broadband as an essential utility, and as necessary as water and electricity. “This will allow point-to-point connectivity everywhere in Dublin,” said Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development Dana McDaniel. “Residents, businesses and City employees will be able to directly link up to other computers via broadband. Of primary importance to us is that the service is accessible to everyone in Dublin. In addition, the City can lease the access to service providers offering more choice to residents.”
McDaniel said the government applications are endless, including providing another tool for economic development.
Dublin plans to assist in connecting its DubLink system to the Columbus Fiber Net to support a plan to offer broadband throughout Central Ohio and aid in connecting the state’s colleges and universities as part of Gov. Bob Taft’s Third Frontier Network.
Additional financing for the broadband expansion is expected to come through tax increment financing, subleases and grants.