MetroNetIQ Vendor Directory: Stakeholder Interest Groups


MetroNet Users & Groups
Using MetroNet Access

Stakeholder Interest Groups
Represent MetroNet users

Under Construction - please be patient as we add entries

American Public Power Association, the national organization for municipally-owned utilites and strong supporter of local economic and community development, has a Community Broadband Initiative that is a good reference source for communities.

Center for Digital Government A private organization based in Folsom, CA, the Center has advisory services, online resources, and special reports to provide public and private sector leaders with decision support, knowledge, and opportunities to help them effectively incorporate new technologies in the 21st Century. This national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government has valuable white papers and research documents for downloading, including a good document that will get you to thinking about the potential value of a partnership with a private sector firm. Follow this link to download the document, Essential Partnerships: A Guide to the Successful Creation of Public-Private Partnerships.

Intel - Digital Cities Initiative is an exciting resource offered by Intel to promote the expansion of metropolitan broadband wireless networks. According to Intel, "A growing number of city and government leaders are implementing eGovernment services using innovative technology to enhance safety and security, citizen satisfaction, and a greater return on tax revenues. Opportunities offered by technology include an integrated infrastructure or 'fabric' for government services, delivered through both broadband wired and wireless information and communications technologies. These core technologies fundamentally transform the way citizens live and work, and serve as the foundation for the Intel vision of the digital city." Go to this site to see examples of applications that will transform your city once you have a broadband wireless network.

Intel - WiMAX - Broadband Wireless Access Technology: Connecting the Next Billion People is a website set up by Intel, which explains: WiMAX is a standards-based wireless technology that provides high-throughput broadband connections over long distances. WiMAX can be used for a number of applications, including 'last mile' broadband connections, hotspots and cellular backhaul, and high-speed enterprise connectivity for business. WiMAX is a complementary technology to Wi Fi Mesh, and is expected to complete an integrated broadband wireless network solution for towns and cities.

On this website, WiMAX in Action, Intel works with the wireless industry to drive deployment of WiMAX networks. To find out more about what WiMAX is and how it is revolutionizing broadband wireless delivery, Intel includes these sections: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 5116 broadband interface, WiMAX Overview Demo, WiMAX Experiences - Case Studies & Videos, Industry Collaboration, and White Papers, Training & Articles.

http://www.nlc.org/home/ -

NASCIO, the National Association of State CIOs, represents state chief information officers and information resource executives and managers from the 50 states, six U. S. territories, and the District of Columbia. State members are senior officials from any of the three branches of state government who have executive-level and statewide responsibility for information resource management. Representatives from federal, municipal, and international governments and state officials who are involved in information resource management but do not have chief responsibility for that function participate in the organization as associate members. Private-sector firms and non-profit organizations may join as corporate members.

NATOA is the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, whose mission is to support and serve the telecommunications interests and needs of local governments. NATOA is a professional association made up of individuals and organizations, who are either responsible for or advise those responsible for telecommunications policies and services in local governments throughout the country. This is a great site for keeping tabs on the role of municipalities in the current debate over telecommunications policy in the US.

NTCA

International Network of E-Communities - Responding to the rapid proliferation of broadband e-Community projects around the world, the Dutch government undertook the first steps to foundwhat is today called the International Network of E-Communities (INEC), previously known as the Smart Community International Network (SCIN). Among the first actions to consolidate this cooperation, the Dutch government signed a Letter of Intent with Malaysia in May 2001. In March 2003, INEC officially commenced work as a fully operational multilateral organization with three founding communities at the helm: Stockholm, Sweden; Kenniswijk, the Netherlands; and the Multimedia Super Corridor, Malaysia. In November 2004, UTOPIA, (Utah, USA) the largest Fiber to the Home project underway in the US, was confirmed as a member of INEC. In 2005, Dubai Internet City and PortoDigital in Recife, Brazil, joined the Network.

The aim of INEC is to promote, facilitate and institutionalize cooperation by means of exchange, best practice programs, business development, missions, benchmarking tools, and joint project implementation. Collectively, the INEC partners aim to excel as leaders in E-community development. As an organization, INEC facilitates exchange & benchmarking instruments, as well as the business development tools and best practice programs to further that ambition. Permanent matchmaking facilities and missions facilitate business development, and private sector parties directly involved in smart community development and the creation of innovative services receive active support.

http://www.smartgrowth.org/default.asp - In 1996, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined with several non-profit and government organizations to form the Smart Growth Network (SGN), in response to increasing community concerns about the need for new ways to grow that boost the economy, protect the environment, and enhance community vitality. The Network's partners include environmental groups, historic preservation organizations, professional organizations, developers, real estate interests and local and state government entities.

The SGN works to encourage development that serves the economy, community and the environment. It is a forum for 1) Raising public awareness of how growth can improve community quality of life; 2) Promoting smart growth best practices; 3) Developing and sharing information, innovative policies, tools and ideas; and 4) Cultivating strategies to address barriers to and advance opportunities for smart growth.

The Wi Fi Alliance is a global, non-profit industry association of more than 200 member companies devoted to promoting the growth of wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Seeking to enhance the user experience for mobile wireless devices, the Wi-Fi Alliance's testing and certification programs ensure the interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification. Since the introduction of the Wi-Fi Alliance's certification program in March 2000, over 2,000 products have been designated as Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM), encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services across the consumer and enterprise markets.

WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, non-profit corporation formed to promote and certify compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products under the the IEEE 802.16 and ETSI HiperMAN wireless MAN standards, aka "WiMAX".

Posted on February 01, 2006 at 10:40 AM | Comments (0)