Pontiac, MI, October 31, 2005 - The Wireless Oakland Project Team today selected MichTel Communications, LLC to provide county-wide wireless Internet service. MichTel Communications is a Pontiac-based company that was selected after a detailed evaluation of thirteen responding private-sector bidders.

 "We appreciate MichTel Communication's commitment to Wireless Oakland," said Oakland County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson.  "They demonstrated during the Art, Beats and Eats Festival they could offer reliable wireless Internet service in a timely manner and have also assembled an impressive team of partners that will showcase the possibilities of the Wireless Oakland initiative."

The County's private-sector partners will own, operate and maintain the project.  Free internet service will be offered at the lower bandwidth, but the private sector partners will charge fees for higher-end service.  Patterson says Wireless Oakland will also bridge the digital divide by providing training and computers at low cost or no cost to people who have been unable to afford access to the Internet because of income or education limitations.

"This marks a giant step forward in our effort to blanket Oakland County's entire 910 square miles with wireless Internet service, a portion of which will be offered free of charge," Patterson said.  "Wireless Oakland will help us attract the kind of Emerging Sector companies and skilled talent Oakland County needs to remain competitive in the corridors of commerce around the world."

To view the presentation given at the press conference announcing the private sector partner click here.

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