Pioneering Developer of Wireless Hot Spots Launches Consulting Firm

Bruce Mayes, the project manager of the nation's largest free wireless Internet access zone AND the first airport in the world to offer free Internet access anywhere in its environs, launches consulting firm.

LONG BEACH, Calif (PRWEB) May 31, 2003 - Bruce Mayes has announced the opening of WiFi Development and Consulting. The practice will focus on development of WiFi hot spots in public areas and airports.

Mayes was the project manager of the nation's largest free wireless Internet access zone. The Long Beach Hot Zone was kicked off at a grand opening in January. The downtown wireless hot spot perimeter includes various restaurants, cafes, department stores and hotels. This award winning hot spot installation in downtown Long Beach was the first of its kind, and has gained worldwide attention. Cities around the world have copied the idea.

"We're copying what you did in Long Beach ... here in Baltimore" said Edgar Hammet, technology advisor to the Mayor of Baltimore. A number of cities are exploring the idea of installing such networks in downtown areas or throughout entire communities; they include San Francisco, Seattle; Jacksonville, Fla; and Lodi, Calif. reports John Markoff of the New York Times.

"By introducing free wireless Internet access, the City of Long Beach is taking a bold step to provide cutting-edge communications technology to anyone visiting our downtown" said Mayor Beverly O'Neill.

The WiFi standard allows several computer users to access the Internet quickly using technology similar to cellular phones and towers. All that's required to take advantage of the service is a standard WiFi 802.11b radio card, available at any computer store, and a laptop computer.

"Bruce Mayes is a proven expert in airport WiFi applications, open air public Hot Zones, and creative cross-marketing of local facilities" said Tom Paradise of Development Tech.. "It's exciting that his expertise is now available for new projects."

Mayes also was the project manager for the Long Beach Airport WiFi wireless network.

The Long Beach Airport, among the five busiest general aviation airports in the world with more than 200,000 passengers per month, will begin providing free wireless Internet service in all passenger lounges and exterior areas. The network, operational now, will be unveiled to the public in June, making Long Beach Airport the first in the world to offer free Internet access anywhere in its environs.

Mayes pulled together a consortium of five high tech partners, developed the design, financing, and operations to create the award winning, ground breaking results. The partners included Intermec Technologies Corp., G-site Web Design, Vernier Networks, Color Broadband, and Development Tech.

"Bruce did a great job on the Airport's WiFi system, and is very creative. He came up with the idea of using plasma screens in the passenger lounges with images from the Aquarium." Said Steve O'keefe, Special Projects Officer for the Long Beach Airport. A partnership with Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific let's passengers waiting for a flight enjoy images taken directly from inside the Aquarium tanks!

About Bruce Mayes
Born in California, Mayes has an MBA from Santa Clara University, and a BS in Business Administration from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He began his career managing building material firms and other retail operations in addition to consulting. Mayes was with the City of Long Beach in 2002-2003, with his focus on expansion of technology firms within the city, primarily in wireless Hot Zones. He has broad experience in strategic planning and business management, having been director of market planning for Unisource Worldwide, and $11 billion division of Georgia Pacific before coming to Long Beach. Prior to that he served as market research manager for the Auto Club of Southern California, as well as for Builders Emporium, and developed market planning for PacifiCare Health Systems.

To learn more about how companies can benefit from WiFi Development's experience in WiFi project management, contact WiFi Development, 11278 Los Alamitos Blvd. #140, Los Alamitos, CA 90720; telephone (562) 225-1258; www.wifidev.com