The Downtown Boulder Foundation announces Google Grant funding that greatly increases the reach and improved connectivity of Downtown Boulder’s Free Outdoor WiFi - #Pearl
[Boulder, CO] July 23, 2018 The Downtown Boulder Foundation (DBF) is the proud recipient of a Google Grant that allowed for a major expansion and stronger coverage of the free Pearl Street WiFi network. Google’s contribution of $216,000 provided new equipment along the Pearl Street Mall with additional coverage added from the East to the West End districts. The prior WiFi service (provided by the Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District) covered the four block pedestrian mall only.
The expanded free, public access WiFi (on the #Pearl network) will now reach from 8th to 20th streets. The initiative, also in conjunction with Sky Packets, deploys next generation outdoor access point technology offering internet connectivity outdoors along Pearl Street. The network will be the first high density 802.11AC network deployed in Boulder.
In partnership with several property owners, the equipment has been placed on rooftops to provide guests visiting downtown the ability to be online while outside at greater speeds and with stronger coverage. The network can handle 7,500 simultaneous connections with wireless communications with speeds of up to 1 Gbps. (The previous network had the capacity of up to 1,500 simultaneous connections with wireless communications speeds up to 700 Mbps.)
"The partnership between Google, Downtown Boulder and Sky Packets, is a great example of the role that organizations can play in connecting people,” said Sean Maher, DBF’s CEO. “We are excited to partner with Google in the community to be able to expand and enhance free WiFi across downtown and ensure that next generation connectivity is accessible to everyone visiting the U.S."
Henry Quintin, CEO Sky Packets added, “The upgraded network and expanded coverage area will no doubt benefit all who work, play and visit downtown Boulder for many years to come. We are excited to partner with Google and Downtown Boulder Foundation to offer a first-of-its-kind next generation WiFi network to the local community.”
Google has had operations in Boulder since 2006 and recently opened buildings at 2930 Pearl.
"We're honored to partner with the Downtown Boulder Foundation and Sky Packets to expand the Pearl Street WiFi project. This will help support our community's small businesses and keep Boulder residents connected across town or around the world. We hope that this new network will serve the community for many years to come," said Scott Green, Site Lead for Google Boulder.
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About the Downtown Boulder Foundation:
The Downtown Boulder Foundation (DBF) is a charitable 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining downtown Boulder as the heart and soul of the community. Under the umbrella of the Downtown Boulder Partnership and in conjunction with the Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District, the DBF helps support the overall vitality of downtown Boulder. www.boulderdowntown.com.
About Sky Packets:
Sky Packets designs, installs and maintains WiFi Mesh networks and new smart city applications to bridge the interaction between people and public/private spaces. With powerful, turnkey, integrated set of applications and hardware solutions, municipalities, BID's property owners and event coordinators can attract, engage, and delight customers and residents by delivering experiences that are relevant, helpful, and personalized. www.skypackets.nyc
About Google:
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Google has been part of the Boulder community since 2006 and has 900+ employees working on major projects such as Chrome, Google Maps, Gtech, GSuite, Payments, People Operations, Ads and more.
Contacts:
Terri Takata-Smith, Downtown Boulder Foundation | 303-449-3774 | terri@downtownboulder.org
Kayla Conti, Google | 510-517-1001| conti@google.com
Henry Quintin | 516-864-4621 | henry@sky-packets.com