> cd may be right in that it is part of the tempe > wireless internet plan > > Original Article > NeoReach Wireless, the service provider, will roll out > the network, known as WazTempe, in five phases. Yeah, now that I have a name, I can locate a photo of the PRECISE piece of equipment you saw: http://neoreach.com/ And, to give you all a warm, fuzzy feeling about the reliability you will be able to expect from publicly-funded technology: > Tempe Cuts the Wire! > Webcast today, Monday November 28th, 2pm Mountain time http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1129ev-wifi29.html Tempe to be 1st U.S. city to offer all Wi-Fi Internet Katie Nelson The Arizona Republic Nov. 29, 2005 12:00 AM On the surface, there isn't much Tempe has in common with Macedonia. After all, the Virginia-size country south of Serbia and north of Greece is for most intents and purposes halfway around the globe. But officials at a ceremony Monday pointed out the two now have something cutting edge in common: They'll soon have wireless Internet capable of serving all their citizens. And they'll both be among the first governments to offer it in the world. advertisement Tempe is the first city in the nation to be wireless border to border; Macedonia is the first country to go wireless in all its cities and towns, according to Strix Systems, a company facilitating the installations. Mayor Hugh Hallman snipped a long piece of blue wire in half Monday afternoon with a huge pair of red-handled scissors. Those attending said that his cutting of the cable signified not only the official start of the United States' largest municipal wireless Internet system but also the future of technology. To thrive and grow, businesses must move beyond the wire, Cox Vice President Kevin Moran said. "This is how Tempe is and is becoming a place where people want to move and live," he added. U.S. Sen. John McCain sent his regards in the form of a video message to the crowd of about 80 who gathered at the Town Lake's Tempe Beach Park. He said he is advocating for Internet access for all in Congress, and he'll use Tempe as the "best example in America" of public and private sectors working together to make wireless Internet available. "You are looking at the future of Internet in America today in beautiful Tempe, Arizona," McCain said in the recording. The Tempe network will reach more than 65,000 households, 1,100 businesses and 50,000 students. Computer users have been able to access the city's wireless system for the past several months while they're downtown or on Arizona State University's campus. They're able to get two hours of access free every 24 hours. By February wireless Internet users can access the system from all over the city. It's going up in five phases: Workers are installing it in north Tempe now and will move south over the coming weeks. Users can access it for an hourly or monthly fee using signals from more than 400 antenna and radio boxes hooked to streetlights and buildings throughout the city. For more information, go to http://waztempe.com . http://www.statepress.com/issues/2005/11/29/news/695104 Tempe almost ready to cut the Internet cables Wireless to be available citywide by February by Beth Cochran published on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 Ashley Lowery / THE STATE PRESS Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman and other speakers of the official Cutting of the Wire ceremony watch a recording made earlier that day of Arizona Sen. John McCain speaking about wireless technology Monday at Tempe Beach Park. Tempe residents will soon be able to check their e-mail from anywhere in the city, making Tempe the largest city in the nation to go wireless. City officials met Monday at Tempe Beach Park to dedicate the wireless system and demonstrate the new network, which will umbrella the city via approximately 400 antenna and radio units mounted on streetlights and buildings. NeoReach Wireless, the service provider, will roll out the network, known as WazTempe, in five phases. Already in its second phase, the company expects the installation to be complete by February. Tempe Deputy Chief Information Officer Dave Heck said the plan to go wireless has been in the works for about two years. "It came about through discussion with ASU and the city to offer wireless around the campus and downtown area," he said. Tempe City Manager Will Manley said the 40-square-mile stretch of wireless Internet is a vital step for Tempe. "It shows that we are a forward-thinking, high-tech city that high-tech companies would want to locate," Manley said. Manley said it wouldn't prevent current Internet providers from offering their services, as well. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said in a recorded statement the United States is lagging in high-speed Internet services and this is one way to help push the country to the forefront. "Sadly, it seems instead of leading the world in this essential technology, we're falling behind other nations," McCain said. Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman stressed the benefits the network will have on the city and community. "We are on the verge of a new society that will improve communication, improve education, improve all kinds of aspects of high-tech, knowledge-based industries," Hallman said. Subscribers can log on for $29 a month or buy one-day service for $9.95, though some areas will offer free service. "It still will be free access to those who are coming downtown, to Arizona State campus and around the town lake," Hallman said. ASU has already been offering free wireless service around campus and played a role in bringing it to Tempe. Chief Information Officer Bill Lewis said one of the main reasons ASU got on board with wireless technology was to address issues of delivering remote education. "People can have access to education without having to come to the university itself," Lewis said. Reach the reporter at beth.cochran@asu.edu.