In the western world most day-to-day telephony is still conducted through copper wire. For many years this has served us well. But today, we're looking to use our telecom systems for data-intense applications such as streaming video, teleconferencing, massive data transfers and sophisticated online computer applications, we are running into the limitations of copper.

SERVING AND ENABLING ALL CITIZENS
The Internet has become an essential tool for 24/7 citizen access to government information and services, from driver’s license renewals and fishing license applications to national park reservations and government tax filings. Despite the many significant advances, the full functionality and productivity improvements made possible by Web-enabled government have not been fully realized because service delivery is usually limited to citizens with Internet access in their homes, workplaces or at public facilities such as libraries. Municipal wireless networks enable greater utilization of existing services by allowing access wherever citizens are and also facilitate the deployment of new services designed to improve public health, safety and transportation, to name just a few applications. For example, coordination of traffic signal data with GPS bus location data, transmitted via wireless networks to a city transportation control center, can improve traffic flow and minimize mass transit delays. When delays do occur, citizens can be notified and advised of alternative routes via text messages sent to cell phones, PDAs or electronic roadside signs.

IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY
When responding to emergency situations, police officers, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, fire officers and other first responders often have insufficient situational awareness about the actions taking place on the scene. More often than not, departments (e.g., fire or police) have asymmetric information, with each organization responding to just one piece of the overall situation.

The limited situational information that is available is traditionally communicated via a single radio band, using shorthand or codes, where only one unit can relay information at a time. In fact, critical information from units not on scene at the emergency must wait, by law, behind radio transmissions from units at the emergency site. Data flowing over a network fundamentally changes the one-way, one-at-a-time emergency communications model. With wireless devices connected to the municipal wireless network, police and other first responders can leverage Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Instant Messaging (IM), or other customized communication methods to transfer situational information without waiting for a clear radio channel. At the same time, communications are more informational than simple voice transmission, presenting vast data in a single image or diagram.

IMPROVING SERVICES
Wireless networks also improve citizen services by allowing government employees to complete tasks faster. Government agencies are adopting paperless forms, such as benefits applications, building inspections and traffic citations, to reduce operating costs and improve citizen service.

During major storms or other catastrophic incidents, power to critical IT systems can be disrupted, sometimes for hours or even days. In best-case scenarios, government agencies have established and tested continuity of operations plans in advance, minimizing downtime and data loss through data backup, redundant connectivity through wired and wireless networks and uninterruptible power supplies. However, any disruption can wreak havoc on public safety, transportation and health operations, especially where IT systems are relied on to deliver real-time, mission-critical data to police, fire and emergency medical personnel; public transportation operators; and doctors and nurses. These operations can afford system disruptions of only minutes, if any. When natural disasters cause public switched telephone systems and other wired networks to fail, wireless networks can be used to carry mission-critical data. Municipal wireless networks operating separately from cellular towers and public switched telephone systems can enable constant communications between first responders and their command center if commercial lines are disabled or overloaded.

Ultimately, state, county and city governments are intelligently leveraging wireless municipal networks to enable better service and protection for their citizens.