Wireless Oakland Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are questions frequently asked about the Wireless Oakland Project.

What is Wireless Oakland?

When will this service be available in my area?

What technology will be used to create the network?

What can I expect when Wireless Oakland is available in my area?

Does Oakland County plan on owning and operating the wireless network?

Why is Wireless Oakland important to the future of Oakland County?

How do I get additional information on the Wireless Oakland initiative?

What is Wireless Oakland?

Wireless Oakland is an initiative launched by County Executive L. Brooks Patterson that consists of three goals. The first goal is to blanket the County's 910 square miles with wireless internet service, with a portion of bandwidth available for free to every person in Oakland County.  The second goal will directly address the "digital-divide" that exists within Oakland County and provide low-cost or no-cost PC's and technology training to vulnerable population groups. Finally, the third goal of the initiative will develop a Telecommunication and Technology Planning Toolkit for Local Governments that supports continued high-tech investments in local government and promotes the integration of those investments with local community character and quality of life.

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When will this service be available in my area?

Due to one of the most difficult economic times Michigan and the Nation has ever seen, MichTel Communications was unable to secure funding to continue wireless internet service to the Phase One Communities and to deploy wireless internet service to the remaining portions of the County.  As a result of the lacking of funding, the contract between the County and MichTel Communications expired. 

The County's commitment to providing free wireless internet service to every business, resident and visitor remains intact.  The County will continue to actively seek partnerships to bring this goal to fruition. 

There is currently not an estimated timeframe for restoration of service to the pilot areas, or for the provision of service to the remaining portions of the County.  

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What technology will be used to create the network?

As a general strategy, the Wireless Oakland initiative will support consumer-based wireless technologies so the cost for the public to use the internet service is minimized. 

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What can I expect when Wireless Oakland is available in my area?

The intent is for the Wireless Oakland network to be an outdoor wireless service that is installed at the street level.  The service is expected to penetrate the exterior walls of typical residential buildings or homes.  In general, materials used to construct the building may affect signal strength within the building itself.  Similar to cell phone technology, the signal may be stronger in some areas of your home than others.  Coverage within commercial, industrial and high rise buildings is particularly difficult and as such must be engineered separately.

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Does Oakland County plan on owning and operating the wireless network?

NO, Oakland County will not own or operate the wireless network. Instead, Oakland County will create a public/private partnership(s) by providing private businesses access to the assets in which Oakland County taxpayers have already funded. In exchange, the partner(s) will be required to provide free wireless internet access to residents, businesses and visitors within Oakland County.  In addition, private sector partners will  sell additional services above and beyond those free services. All profits from the wireless network will be realized by the private sector partners.  Additionally, no tax or grant dollars will be used to subsidize the creation of the wireless network.  The cost of the build-out will be completely funded by the private sector.

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Why is Wireless Oakland important to the future of Oakland County?

The benefits of this project are nearly endless, but fundamentally, the goal of Wireless Oakland is to prepare the residents of Oakland County for the jobs of tomorrow.  As businesses go high-tech; and more high-tech firms locate and relocate their businesses within Oakland County;  the residents of the County must be prepared to fill the jobs those businesses have to offer.

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How do I get additional information on the Wireless Oakland initiative?

The Wireless Oakland Project Team will use it's website to communicate with interested parties.  If you have specific questions that are not answered on the website, please email wirelessoakland@oakgov.com.

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