It was a brand new system five years ago, but as technology has advanced, the Google-financed free Wi-Fi system in The Dalles needs an upgrade to keep it running efficiently.
At the Monday meeting of The Dalles City Council, representatives from Google and Gorge Networks described their efforts to keep the wireless internet service — which is free and available to the public — operating smoothly. The public system went operational in 2011, thanks to a grant from Google of approximately $400,000, and Hood River-based Gorge Networks was subsequently chosen to install and operate the system.
Now, modernization is needed, and Google is providing a fresh grant of $95,500 to pay for the improvements.
“We are happy to support this, but if we are going to fund it, we want it to be fast and accessible,” explained Darcy Nothnagle, Google’s head of external affairs in Seattle.
At first, the free Wi-Fi coverage area primarily blanketed the downtown business district of The Dalles. The system started with 40 access points, but since then the coverage area has doubled with more than 50 new access points added. In the five years since the service was provided, it has been expanded into 12 additional public sites, including the Civic Auditorium, rodeo grounds, Sorosis Park, Kramer Field, Riverfront Park and the Discovery Center.
“Each day, access to the internet becomes more and more important for finding a good job, accessing services or information, and learning – as so many students in school today require the internet to complete the assignments,” Nothnagle said.
“This wireless network provides those resources. Google’s mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful, and providing access to the internet helps people connect with information,” Nothnagle explained.“This gives The Dalles a real edge as far as technology goes over anybody in this part of the state,” added Gorge Networks representative Dave Keleher during Monday’s council meeting.
Dan Bubb, president of Gorge Networks, explained in a written report to the city council that some of the Wi-Fi hardware now in place will not be workable by 2017, and the focus will be on replacing that equipment.
“The most significant upgrades included in that specification were an increase in system capacity from a 3M to 15M user experience and the use of the 5GHz frequency that allowed for better/faster coverage,” Bubb wrote.
“The original technology is no longer up to date or meeting code,” Keleher added.
“There are 40 access points in the downtown area, and we are migrating those to the newest technology. We are increasing band width and taking old access points and replacing them with new access points,” he explained.
Keleher said that would serve to “improve meshing and connectivity as people move around the city.”
According to the Gorge Networks report, the Wi-Fi system currently has approximately 700 to 800 users every day, and Gorge.net statistics showed more than a doubling in the number of users in August 2016 as compared to August 2015.
“We attribute this to the system being faster, more reliable, and there being more awareness of the availability of the system,” Bubb noted. “We consider the Wi-Fi system to be highly successful based on the several hundred users that utilize the system every day.”
City Councilor Dan Spatz asked whether the upgrading project will include additional enhancements to address cyber-security. “The system is a much more secure network than when it was first rolled out,” Keleher replied. “This will add another layer of improvements.”
Mayor Steve Lawrence said he appreciates that Google is stepping up to support the community.
“Google feels very good about being located in The Dalles,” Lawrence said. “They like the atmosphere, the style of living, and they want to give back in other ways.”
“They provide computers to the school system; they have provided a huge contribution to the library for internet and computer training, including 3-D manufacturing instruction; and they have made a commitment to providing internet services in the downtown,” Lawrence added.
“We’re proud to provide funding for this public Wi-Fi network to increase access for all residents of and visitors to The Dalles,” Nothnagle said.
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