Why Wi‑Fi Matters Again — with SmartWAVE Technologies

Wi‑Fi plays an increasingly important role in how cities serve their staff and communities. In this episode, Allen Hammond talks with Caroline Brown and Eric Holland of SmartWAVE Technologies about outdoor public networks, the continuing gap in home broadband access, and what it takes to refresh an indoor network for today’s mobile workforce. Drawing on the City of Pleasanton’s experience, they discuss Wi‑Fi at the sports park, aquatic park, and downtown; the demands of large events; and why dependable wireless connectivity matters in areas with poor cellular coverage. Allen also shares a conversation with the local school district that challenged his assumptions about students’ access to broadband at home. In this episode: Designing outdoor Wi‑Fi for coverage, capacity, and events The difference between broadband being available and a household being able to use it SmartWAVE’s community connectivity work, including San José and Council Bluffs What public Wi‑Fi can—and cannot—promise when cellular coverage is weak Rethinking indoor Wi‑Fi as staff move between home, meeting rooms, and office workspaces Why cabling, switches, power, and backhaul belong in a wireless refresh plan Where cities with limited budgets can start SmartWAVE Technologies is a MISAC strategic partner and has worked with the City of Pleasanton on its outdoor networks. Links SmartWAVE Technologies SmartWAVE blog feed — add the RSS feed to your feed reader for new posts Visit our MISAC Connect forum for more discussions and community engagement. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for updates and announcements.