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Next Ge�exat�au Netwark Plan Yage 9 C'�'�'s design and cost estimate suggests that the initial �nvestzxient for a WiFi network to provide co�eiag� in each NSCC city is over $9 ��11ifl� (Table 20), not including consumer equipment costs and operational and mainte�ance expenses. The clear alternative �- contracting US Internet to expand its Minneapolis model to cities within the NSCC as additional anchor tenants — also entails a comparable financial commitment, but with lower control of service availability and performance. The cost per household and business to deploy a WiFi network is directly proportional to the density a� households and businesses. On a collective basis, the one-time cost per �qusehoId/business is under $200. The results on a city-by-city base vary widely. It's also significant to note that the Ne�t Generation Network proposed herein will support and enhance any future wireless deployment. W��i's � �c r Fc7r:n�ntc �� is dramatically enhanced with the addition of fiber. Without fiber access, WiFi is usually "backhauled" over wireless technology that is often limited to data rates of 1pZVLbps and requires a line-of-sight to maintain connectivity. Fiber enables backi3au�. transfer rates of 100 Mbps at lower cost -- and is less vulnerable to interference, eliminates seasonal variations in performance, and eliminates a potential traffic bottleneck. With the fiber NGN as the core of the network, the cities may wish to cautiously consider additional deployment of a regional wireless network This network's feasibility would be enhanced by the cities' collective buying power and range of population densities. In 2006, CTC conducted a feasibility study for St. Anthony Village on the potential for municipal wireless Internet and determined that it was limited by its low population numbers — the business model did not work given the need to spread fixed operational costs over a small number of subscribers. A collective or collaborative approach among all the NSCC cities would expand that pool of potential subscribers and offer greater economies of scale to the participants. A collaborative approach would also enable leverage in negotiations with the private sector and economies of scale with respect to equipment, cans�:uction, operations, and services. 1.3 Users and Stakeholders: How Might the Network be Used? Public Safety. Many of the cities view connectivity as a critical need for public safety communications and anticipate rapidly increasing needs for this service. Leased circuits limit the ability of the cities to prioritize traffic, maintenance, or repair of the network. They do not allow public safety officials to fully calculate the availability of the network and mitigate pending risks in comparison to a private fiber optic netwark. A comprehensive network with connectivity between cities and the County enables redundant connectivity for public safety radio stations and mobile broadband access in t vehicles. It could enable interoperable communications among multiple public safety ,� 4 'i Examples of targeted deployments include downtown hot-spots, library access, school yards, and public gathering places. all text and diagrams C�? CTC 2007