New Era for Dunedin

Dunedin’s newest mayor is about to take office, and already the city is welcoming Mayor Bob Hackworth with some vast improvements. After much anticipation and some delay, 20% of the city's wireless internet network is now up and running.

Dunedin, FL (PRWEB) April 7, 2006 -- Dunedin’s newest mayor is about to take office, and already the city is welcoming Mayor Bob Hackworth with some vast improvements. After much anticipation and some delay, 20% of the city's wireless internet network is now up and running.

“It’s really an exciting time to take office,” says Hackworth about the news. “Dunedin is on the forefront of technology and I’m thrilled to help implement these improvements.”

As a city commissioner Hackworth convinced the city council that they should consider blanketing the historic city with wireless Internet. It was an ambitious move that hadn’t yet been done in any other Florida city.

On May 5th of last year, Citi WiFi Networks began working on the project, but wireless Internet technology is so cutting edge, that there hasn’t been much precedence set for wireless Internet providers. As a result, Citi WiFi Networks fought an uphill battle installing the system in Dunedin. Delays caused by the process of installing equipment on power company poles stalled Citi WiFi’s efforts to hang equipment; but the city commission and zealous residents rallied support for the project and Citi WiFi was soon able to move forward with the much-anticipated plans.

“We couldn’t believe how much public support there was for this project,” says Mike Sheaffer, the Chief Operating Officer of Citi WiFi Networks. “We are really happy to have this community behind us.”

The first 20% of the wireless network will go live in April and roughly 4,000 residences will be able to surf the web in and outside their homes. The network is expected to cover most of the 10-square-mile-city by August.

The trick for Citi WiFi will be to determine exactly who will and who will not have coverage as the network rolls out over the next few months.

“This is a wireless technology where things like trees and mirrors can cause major problems with the signal,” adds Sheaffer. “We will need to get a technician involved for every customer interested in service.”

Those interested in the service can pre-subscribe online at citiwifi dot com or simply call 727-497-0650.

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