Wireless Oakland Calendar

Oakland County continues to pursue the goals of Wireless Oakland.  Below is a calendar of events that occurred during Phase 1 of the first goal of the initiative.

Due to one of the most difficult economic times Michigan and the Nation has ever seen, MichTel Communications was unable to secure funding to continue wireless internet service to the Phase One Communities and to deploy wireless internet service to the remaining portions of the County.  As a result of the lacking of funding, the contract between the County and MichTel Communications expired. 

The County's commitment to providing free wireless internet service to businesses, residents and visitors remains intact.  The County continued to actively seek partnerships to achieve this goal.  Activities included supporting private sector partners in efforts to be awarded Broadband Technology Opportunity funds, and supporting local government efforts to be selected to participate in the Google Fiber Optic Trial.

Spring 2007 - Spring 2008: Phase 1 Installation and Infill

Service was available in all Phase One from Spring 2007 through Spring 2008.  Throughout the pilot phase approximately 50 million minutes of free wireless internet were consumed.

Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall of 2006: Contract Negotiations, Project Planning & Engineering

Following the selection of MichTel a contract was developed and executed between the County and MichTel. 

The seven Phase 1 communities worked with Oakland County to create a single standard agreement which outlines the relationship and responsibilities between the County and the Municipality regarding use of assets owned by the local unit of government for the Wireless Oakland Initiative.

An agreement was also developed between MichTel and DTE Energy for use of DTE owned poles.  MichTel planned to place wireless equipment on DTE poles, as well as the publicly owned assets.

The engineering and site surveys were completed for each of the pilot areas.  Additionally, a demonstration area was been completed in the new Wixom downtown development area. 

Fall, 2005: Demonstration

MichTel Communications, LLC was selected to provide free wireless internet service to demonstrate the concept of a wireless community at Arts, Beats, and Eats in downtown Pontiac September 2-5, 2005. Fifteen blocks in downtown Pontiac were made into a wi-fi hotspot, where festival goers were able to try out the free wireless internet service.

In October 2005, Oakland County announced the selection of MichTel Communications, LLC (MichTel) as the primary vendor for the project.  Seven pilot areas were also identified.

Spring & Summer, 2005: RFQ & Vendor Selection

The private partners were selected through a competitive bid process.  The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was released April 29, 2005, and on June 27, 2005 thirteen companies returned proposals to participate in the project.  

Spring 2005: Wireless Oakland Summit with Our Private Partners

The Wireless Oakland Project Team presented more details of the vision and answered questions regarding the goal to blanket the County with wireless internet access.  The Wireless Oakland Summit was held at the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Auditorium (1200 N Telegraph, Pontiac).

Winter 2005: Wireless Oakland Unveiling 

2005 State of the County Address by L. Brooks Patterson.