Governor Perdue Announces City of Decatur Wi-Fi Access

Governor Perdue Announces City of Decatur Wi-Fi Access

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that the first phase of a community wireless network has been officially launched in downtown Decatur.  The Decatur wireless network is the first Wi-Fi initiative to come online under the Governor’s Wireless Communities Georgia (WCG) Program. 

"We are proud to partner with the city of Decatur to unveil the first Wi-Fi network under the Wireless Communities Georgia Program,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “Decatur is leading communities all across Georgia in taking advantage of this unique program to bring the benefits of Wi-Fi to the citizens of our state.  They have provided exceptional leadership in planning and partnership, and we all look forward to the great benefits that this network will provide in the future to the state.”

The Wi-Fi Access Program is a public-private partnership.  The network now provides initial coverage to one square mile, centered on downtown Decatur and includes Agnes Scott College.  Under the WCG Program, Decatur will expand the coverage area to include full city coverage of 4.2 square miles by July 2008.  The network will provide Internet access for city employees, citizens, students and visitors to the city.   Wi-Fi Internet gives people the ability to access a broad range of services from their wireless-equipped devices such as laptop computers, hand-held PDA devices, smartphones and more.

“The city of Decatur recognizes that affordable wireless Internet access enhances the existing high quality of life enjoyed by city residents, visitors and businesses, said Mayor Bill Floyd.  “People choose where to live, where to raise their families, where to grow their businesses based on a number of services and amenities.  Wireless access is a service that people are coming to expect from a progressive, forward-thinking community like Decatur.”

The Decatur wireless network is being funded by $427,250 from the Governor’s WCG Program, and is being matched locally with $190,000 from the city of Decatur and its partners, which include Agnes Scott College, Columbia Theological Seminary, City Schools of Decatur and the Decatur Downtown Development Authority.  The city will use the network for its mobile employees (such as police officers, firefighters, code enforcement, and inspections), and is currently testing an innovative wireless parking meter management program. 

For more information about the city of Decatur Wi-Fi Access Program, contact Andrea Arnold, Assistant City Manager, at City of Decatur, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, Georgia, 30031, 404-370-4102, or andrea.arnold@decaturga.com.

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