Members of the Ottawa County Wireless Broadband Task Force Committee want to see a draft of a potential Request For Proposals before making a decision to move ahead with a possible countywide wireless broadband system.
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Mark Knudsen, director of the county Planning and Grants Department, said a working draft will be ready for review at the group's Sept. 9 meeting at the Fillmore Street Complex.

Drafting a potential RFP to be distributed to potential providers is one of the seven options that the group discussed at a Thursday morning meeting.

Committee members also responded positively to creating a Broadband Access Network Coordination Group (BANC) to coordinate non-licensed frequency use and minimize interference. "I think the BANC is a good idea," said Steven Langeler of Michwave Technologies Inc. in Grand Rapids.

Knudsen listed several benefits to having a countywide wireless broadband system, including providing service to the underserved or rural residential and commercial areas. It would also minimize the proliferation of towers and interference, in addition to being more economical and lowering consumer costs.

The potential system would also create the ability for residents to roam countywide and provide increased distance learning opportunities. Knudsen added that it would provide the ability to increase teleworking opportunities and attract skilled or specialized workers.

Due to the county's efforts to create a countywide wireless system, Knudsen said that an Illinois businessman intends to move his company to Ottawa County. "It's already paying small dividends," he said of the potential wireless system.

If the system comes to fruition, Knudsen said that economic development would be enhanced, the wireless deployment process would be expedited and free Internet and video-conferencing for local units would be available.

Tyler van Houwelingen, founder and CEO of Ottawa Wireless, Inc., said the potential system could also provide service for emergency service agencies such as fire and police departments. "If it's fragmented ... that vision can't happen here," he said. Earlier this month, Ottawa Wireless made Grand Haven the first city in the nation to have complete wireless coverage.

The wireless broadband service would be offered at a wholesale rate by a county authority, Knudsen said.

While there are some benefits, Knudsen added that there are also some drawbacks. He added that the potential system could be viewed as the government getting involved with the private sector. However, he said the group would only facilitate the process of setting up and maintaining the system.

Some speculated that even with the countywide system, those "underserved" areas may remain without service since companies aim to provide for more populated areas.

However, Knudsen said that with the new technology that is coming out, it would still be "economical" to provide service in those areas.

Copyright © 2004. Grand Haven Tribune.