Pontiac, MI, May 3, 2007 - Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, the Wireless Oakland Project Team and MichTel Communications, LLC announced today that free wireless internet service is now available in the Cities of Royal Oak and Madison Heights.  MichTel Communications, LLC has recently completed Wireless Oakland installation in these Phase One areas and wireless internet service is now available. 

"With today's announcement of free wireless Internet service coming to Royal Oak and Madison Heights, we are nearing completion of Phase One development," Patterson said.  "When completed Wireless Oakland will serve as a catalyst for economic development and business investment that will create thousands of new jobs and attract the kinds of visionary companies Oakland County will need to compete successfully in this new global economy."

More than six square miles of the County now have access to free internet service. In general, the Royal Oak service area is bounded by I-696, 12 Mile Road, Woodward and I-75.  In Madison Heights, the service area is bounded by I-696, 12 Mile Road, I-75 and John R Road.  Detailed maps of the Phase One areas within Royal Oak and Madison Heights can be found at www.wirelessoakland.org.

"Wireless Oakland is the perfect example of collaboration and cooperation between business, Oakland County and the cities," said Madison Heights Mayor Edward Swanson. "Madison Heights is pleased and proud to be a pilot city for this successful enterprise that benefits our citizens and businesses."

Installation will continue in Troy, Birmingham, Oak Park, Pontiac, and Wixom throughout the month of May 2007.   When these communities are bought on line more than 18 square miles of the County will have been covered with free wireless Internet service.

"Royal Oak is extremely proud to have been chosen as one of the first seven communities to receive Wireless Oakland," said Royal Oak City Manager Tom Hoover.  "Now that it has been installed we are anxious to utilize it as an important economic development tool in attracting residents and businesses to our community."

"We are very excited to see the vision of Wireless Oakland become reality and look forward to providing free internet service to all of Oakland County," said David R. Thomas, chief operating officer of MichTel Communications.

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.  For more information about the free or for-fee Wireless Oakland services, please contact MichTel Communications, LLC at 1-888-MichTel.