URGENT NEWS ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
August 26, 2005
Contact: Norm Stockwell, 279-1607 (cell)
MADISON COMMUNITY WIRELESS ADOVACY GROUP URGES MAYOR TO CREATE FREE OR LOW-COST WIRELESS NETWORK
MADISON, WI – Madison Community Wireless Advocates (MCWA), a grassroots group organized to support and encourage the creation of a free or low-cost wireless network throughout the city and county, has ramped up its efforts to persuade Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk to explore community wireless now that AOL has backed out of its contract with the city.
The recent announcement that AOL-Sky Cable was backing out of the project to provide fee-based wireless internet in several downtown Madison locations has prompted both MCWA and the Capital Times Newspaper to call for a reassessment of the direction the project has taken to date.
Many cities throughout the country are exploring or have already implemented free or low-cost wireless internet service. In Illinois, the Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN) has developed an open-source, turnkey wireless networking solution that exceeds the functionality of many proprietary systems. CUWiN's vision is ubiquitous - extremely high-speed, low-cost networking for every community and constituency.
Additionally, Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street recently announced his “Wireless Philadelphia” initiative. The city intends to enter into a public and private partnership to provide wireless access for the entire city, thus creating a truly digital city that supports economic and social development and helps close the digital divide.
Norman Stockwell, community radio activist and member of MCWA, stated “Madison is an ideal city to implement the model of a community wireless network. We commend the Capital Times for their August 26th editorial on this topic. We will be working with the Mayor, County Executive and other elected officials to help re-envision a plan for a wireless Madison. This is a great opportunity and it is time Madison joined the cutting edge community-based internet technologies.”
Madison Community Wireless Advocates is a grassroots group of residents who support the formation of a low-cost or free community wireless network in Madison and Dane County. For more information or to get involved, please call Norm Stockwell at 279-1607 or send an e-mail to: <madwireless@yahoo.com>.
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