Press Release

Wireless Oakland Delayed Due To Funding Challenges

Pontiac, MI, June 26, 2008 The Wireless Oakland Project Team announced today that the Countys private sector partners have been unable to secure funding for the continued implementation of the wireless Internet service. As a result, service in the existing seven phase one areas is no longer available.  The service will be restored when additional funding has been secured by MichTel Communications, LLC.

MichTel Communications, LLC. has worked very hard to secure funding that ultimately will make the wireless internet service a reality.  Unfortunately, this funding pursuit has occurred during an international credit crisis and one of the most difficult economic times Michigan has ever seen. The uncertainty of the Michigan economy coupled with more stringent banking practices has caused investors to limit their risk and avoid cutting edge technology opportunities, said Deputy County Executive and CIO Phil Bertolini.

The County does not intend to abandon this key goal of the Wireless Oakland initiative.  Instead, the County will use the next six months to reexamine the current state of the wireless internet deployment and continue to seek private sector funding.

The Phase One development of the seven pilot communities has proven to be extremely successful.  Forty-six million minutes of free internet have been consumed in the Phase One deployment since March 2007.  These results far exceed the original business model projections.  The countys private sector partner will secure funding, own, operate and maintain the Wireless Oakland network and public tax dollars will not be used to subsidize or fund the effort.

Additional information about the Wireless Oakland initiative can be found at www.WirelessOakland.org.  For media inquiries only, please contact Bob Dustman, Media and Communications Officer, at (248) 858-1048.
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