City and County of Honolulu and SkyWave redefine the
Municipal Wireless Provider Model
Honolulu, Hawaii - SkyWave, one of the state's fastest growing Wireless Broadband Providers is collaborating with the City and County to deliver WiFi access to Waikiki. They are in the process of installing 125 additional access points over the next 12 months and an additional 125 access points in the year after that in their efforts to create a hybrid free/pay WiFi network what they call the OpenSky.
During his campaign Mayor Mufi Hannemann promised that he would support the technology industry by supporting City efforts to expand the high-tech industry like Act 221 (now Act 215), use technology to improve the City's customer service, use City property for high-tech incubators and champion "Wireless Waikiki". Mayor Hannemann tasked his appointee, Gordon Bruce Director of the Department of Information Technology and CIO for the City and County of Honolulu to handle the difficult task.
On July 11, 2005 Bruce convened a special meeting with Hawaii's Wireless Service Providers. Every major local and national carrier was in attendance as Gordon announced that while the City government was serious about improving the quality of technology used throughout the City and County of Honolulu, his department would not be pursuing the development of a municipal WiFi as seen by the likes of Philidephia, Minneapolis, and San Francisco.
"The City is not in the business of providing these kinds of services, this is what everyone sitting at this table does and we don't want to compete with you. However, what we can do is help facilitate the development of an Oahu wide WiFi network."
To meet market demand for Wireless Broadband especially along the popular Waikiki corridor he challenged the industry players to make the often discussed but never properly executed "Wireless Waikiki" project a near term reality. He said the City would like to see the private sector take the initiative.
After hearing Gordon's challenge, SkyWave Founder and VP of Business Development, Joshua Beil; CEO, Carnet Williams and Chief Marketing Officer, Song Choi stood outside Honolulu Hale after the meeting and within a few hours created a model that met Gordon's challenge and created an innovative model that offers Cities an alternative approach to municipal wireless projects.
SkyWave, took the initiative and developed a technology platform that allows them to make certain websites, such as City and County of Honolulu and the Hawaii Visitors Convention Bureau available for free to anyone with wireless access to the SkyWave wireless network. Full access to other sites would incur a fee. It is this unique blend of free and fee for service access that allows SkyWave to maintain their network and provide optimal open services to residents and visitors a like. Anyone with a wireless 802.11 card that is in a SkyWave coverage zone can access government services such as Motor Vehicle Registration, Drivers Test Appointments, Pot Hole Reporting, City Council Agendas and Meetings to name a few free of charge.
SkyWave is a textbook example of the type of company that Mayor Hannemann and Director Bruce are hoping will fuel a diversified economy and make not only Wireless Waikiki, but Wireless Oahu a reality. Founders Joshua Beil and Matthew Ganote are examples of technology focused ex-pat professionals who left Hawaii to find opportunities but have now returned bringing with them combined understanding of local culture, and progressive business skills. Chief Executive Officer Carnet Williams and Chief Technology Officer Rob Jenkins represent the talent that Hawaii needs to import and create a globally competitive technology sector. Chief Marketing Officer, Song Choi shows that our locally grown talent is well prepared for the challenge.
Skywave is also providing OpenSky access and managed and co-branded WiFi solutions at select Shidler properties as part of their previously announced "e-building" strategy. The Shidler Group is the largest owner of commercial property in Hawaii. Shidler is also one of the first property owners/managers to look to leveraging communications technology to keep existing tenants and attract new ones.
About SkyWave
SkyWave is an internet connectivity company that uses complementary technological platforms to connect people, places to the information. SkyWave provides a range of wireless, fixed wire services, broadband over powerline and T-1 replacement services for its clients and the highest standards in network performance, convenience, and service. Founded in 2003, and based in Honolulu, Hawaii SkyWave provides high-speed Wi-Fi (802.11) wireless access solutions to both small, single location partners and multi-campus institutions and high-rises. SkyWave is the owner/operator of the fastest growing network of WiFi hotspots in the state.
About The Shidler Group
The Shidler Group is a national real estate organization that actively acquires commercial real estate for its own account. It currently owns and operates over 8 million square feet of commercial property throughout Texas, Arizona, Hawaii and Southern California. Since its founding in 1972, The Shidler Group and its affiliates have facilitated the acquisition of over 130 million square feet of commercial property.
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