Pontiac, Michigan, December 27, 2006 -- The Wireless Oakland Project Team led by Phil Bertolini, the Oakland County CIO, announced today that MichTel Communications  L.L.C. will kick-off the New Year by beginning the installation of the countywide wireless network.  "The first phase of the Wireless Oakland project has taken longer than anticipate," said Bertolini, "but now that the appropriate design and engineering phases have been completed, progress will accelerate."

"You only get one chance to engineer and plan for a network this large and complex.  We may be a few months behind, but it was time well spent.  The I's have been dotted and the T's have been crossed," L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive, said.  "We appreciate the continued support and commitment of the seven pilot communities, DTE Energy, and our private sector partners.  We are  confident the constituents of Oakland County will be pleased with the progress we make in early 2007."

Further details on the installation of the free wireless internet service will be provided by the Wireless Oakland Project Team at a press event scheduled for the first week of January 2007.  For more information about the Wireless Oakland initiative please visit the Wireless Oakland web site at www.wirelessoakland.org.

For further information please contact Bob Dustman, Media and Communications Officer at 248-858-1048.