The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Wireless survey now under way
Freedom Township resident lobbies for local pilot program
By Nathan Bomey, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: August 4, 2005
Freedom Township resident Ray Berg didn't get the answer he was looking for from a variety of Internet service providers.
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So Berg – who said he needs high-speed Internet access to more efficiently do business – turned to a local initiative designed to provide wireless Internet access to the entire county.
Now he's hoping to get the Village of Manchester on his side. Berg is asking residents to visit the Web site of the Wireless Washtenaw initiative to fill out a survey expressing their opinions about the program.
"What we're trying to do is collect information from residents prior to starting the pilot projects," Berg said. "We're trying to find out what interest is out there."
Berg would be one of many residents of the rural portions of Washtenaw County who would benefit from countywide wireless Internet capability. He said local phone companies won't provide a high-speed DSL connection in his area because it's not cost-efficient.
So he has to rely on a dial-up modem to run his business.
The survey consists of 14 questions, asking residents about whether they would be willing to pay for the service.
Wireless Washtenaw officials hope to provide a "seamless Internet experience" by 2007, although the plan could be contingent on the future of a state legislative proposal that would bar local municipalities from offering such services.
If the Wireless Washtenaw system moves forward, it is likely that restricted, slower access would be available for free, Berg said. High-speed access may require a monthly payment, which would entitle a resident to a user ID and password to access the system.
Wireless Washtenaw officials hope to have vendors selected to provide the service by October. They hope to conduct a pilot program in various parts of the county in 2006.
Berg, who is also involved with creating the Southwest Washtenaw Council of Governments Web site, is lobbying for Freedom Township as one of the pilot programs.
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