Siemens And BelAir Extend Digital Reach Of Residents, Government And Businesses
Siemens Canada deploys next generation wireless broadband network for First Nations Seabird Island Community
AGASSIZ, British Columbia-/Wi-Fi Technology News/- The Seabird Island First Nation in British Columbia is setting a powerful example for other First Nation communities across Canada with its innovative use of technology. They have implemented new housing concepts which use advanced building materials, wood from certified forests, energy efficient appliances as well as solar, wind and geo-thermal solutions to create renewable energy sources as part of their sustainable community design.
The Seabird Island Band has just taken another step forward into the future with the launch of a new high performance wireless mesh network solution from Siemens. The network is providing the community with ubiquitous, high-speed broadband wireless access supporting residential, educational and business communication requirements.
The scenic terrain is challenging. It is prone to occasional flooding and rugged weather conditions which made the wireless network an attractive, flexible communications alternative to wired solutions. Additionally, as the internet has become an important educational tool, the local schools needed a way to provide its students with cost-effective access. Today, the next generation wireless broadband mesh network provides high-speed wireless access across the community supporting local educational needs and more.
“Our new wireless network offers a broad range of communications and revenue opportunities for us,” stated Chief Clem Seymour. “We will be able to create new services for the community and offer our local schools increased educational opportunities through new high speed connectivity.”
About Seabird Island Network
Siemens and BelAir Networks worked closely with Chief Clem Seymour and local residents to deploy 49 BelAir Networks wireless access nodes across the community. The nodes, easily mounted on light poles, provide a wireless carrier backbone to support a variety of services including Point of Sale (POS) terminals at the local gas bar and events such as annual canoe races.
The new network will also help the community defray flood meter monitoring costs of $1,200 per month by replacing wired lines with a wireless connection. In the future, the community may also use the network to extend its Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) network and provide cost-effective residential telephone service on Seabird Island.
“Siemens is proud to be working with Chief Seymour and his band council on this exciting project,” said Frank Suraci, responsible for Aboriginal Relations for Siemens Canada. “We view Seabird Island as an excellent example of our technology partnership with First Nations’ communities across Canada. Our goal is to help realize the unlimited potential of their growing populations in developing socio-economic programs and technology infrastructure that will enhance and extend wellness, economic development and community growth."
Siemens and BelAir Networks have also developed a comprehensive program to train Seabird Island Band personnel to pre-stage, program, install, administer and repair the wireless network. The training program will encourage the residents to manage and are able maintain the network independently, creating jobs and ensuring self-sufficiency.
“The Seabird Island Band is putting wireless technology to work for their current and future well being and growth,” stated Jim Freeze, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Alliances of BelAir Networks. “It was a tremendous opportunity for us to work with a community known for its innovation. They now have a powerful wireless broadband network, like the ones that BelAir has deployed in leading cities around the world that delivers carrier-class capacity and reliability and industry-leading performance.”
BelAir Networks is the leading provider of mobile broadband mesh network solutions with more than 300 deployments worldwide, including leading cities such as Boston, Minneapolis, Dallas, New York, the City of London and Toronto, as well as high-profile venues such as Dolphin Stadium in Miami. BelAir equipment blends seamlessly into its surroundings preserving the aesthetics of the area.
BelAir Networks, recently recognized with a Frost and Sullivan Technology Innovation Award and an InfoWorld 100 award, offers a comprehensive product portfolio that supports Wi-Fi, WiMax mesh, 4.9 GHz Public Safety and cellular backhaul, and includes the flagship four-radio BelAir200 Wireless Multi-service Switch Router, the dual-radio BelAir100 Multi-service Node, the BelAir100C Multi-service Node featuring point-to-multipoint backhaul, the BelAir100S, and the single-radio BelAir50C, all seamlessly managed by the BelAir BelView Network Management System. For cellular operators, BelAir also offers the BelAir300 Converged Multi-service Wireless Node, combining cellular, Wi-Fi and wireless mesh on a converged platform.
About Siemens in Canada
Siemens is one of the largest and most diversified companies in the world, providing innovations in areas such as automation and control, power, transportation, medical, information and communications, and lighting. In Canada, Siemens is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with more than 7,500 employees located in 76 offices and seven major manufacturing facilities. Sales for fiscal 2006 were $2.3 billion.
About BelAir Networks
BelAir Networks is the first company to offer scalable, mobile wireless broadband mesh networking solutions with the highest quality for data, voice and video. The company teams with world-class global partners to deploy proven, cost-effective wireless broadband mesh networks. BelAir’s wireless networking solutions are built on the only multi-service architecture for municipal wireless broadband deployments of Wi-Fi, WiMAX and 3G Cellular networks. Built specifically for outdoor deployments, BelAir Networks’ patented solution delivers the lowest cost per user and deploys in days, blending into the physical infrastructure of downtown business districts, hotels and resorts, and campuses. Founded in 2001, BelAir Networks is a privately held company. For more info, visit
http://www.belairnetworks.com.
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