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Commission approves Pelican Broadband install of event Wi-Fi radios on downtown poles at no cost to city
Summary
Pelican Broadband received approval to install radios on existing downtown poles to provide paid, event-only Wi-Fi for festivals; company to bear costs and will limit access through a paid login system.
The commission approved an application from Pelican Broadband to install wireless radios on existing downtown poles to support paid Wi-Fi for festivals and events. Mike George of Pelican explained the gear would be mounted on the same poles that carry existing cameras and speakers and would be colored black to blend with the poles.
"We were approached by the Christmas festival to provide Wi Fi downtown ... We came up with a proposal ... the best place for them to go was ... the same poles where the cameras and the speakers are now," Mike George said. He said Pelican will bear the installation cost and provide Wi-Fi to festival organizers and vendors for a nominal daily fee; the city and festival organizers incur no charge. "Correct," George said when commissioners asked whether there was no cost to the city.
George said the service is intended for events and not as a permanent free public network. "It's not intended for the public," he said, adding the system will use a payment/login system and be locked down so organizers or vendors can be granted free access. He noted one additional unit would be placed near the Main Street office at the far end of Front Street.
Commissioners asked about visibility and aesthetics; staff and the applicant said the units would be black and "disappear with the pole." Miss Robinson moved to approve the application; Mr. Wilson seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.
