[RTC List] Digital Rio Dell to launch May 1st

[Sean McLaughlin]

Press Release

April 25, 2007

Access Humboldt advances "Digital Rio Dell"
City Council vote means free wireless Internet
and county’s first redundant municipal broadband.

Rio Dell, CA - Humboldt County’s fourth largest municipality is known as 
the "warm-hearted city" – but soon it will also be its hottest wireless 
Internet site.

The Rio Dell City Council approved Access Humboldt’s “Digital Rio Dell” 
Project on April 17th, paving the way for free wireless Internet access 
for residents and tourists at the City Hall, public library, fire 
station, city park and other facilities.

Broadband wireless access begins for Rio Dell City Hall on May 1st and 
is slated to quickly expand to other public facilities in the future.

The project also brings online the county’s first redundant broadband 
municipal connection, which will avert Internet interruptions caused by 
the type of fiber optic line breaks that twice plagued Humboldt County 
last year. The dedicated line will initially provide two megabits per 
second (2Mbps) of capacity.

Rio Dell Mayor Bud Leonard applauded the City Council’s support for the 
project, a collaboration between public and private sector interests. 
"Rio Dell is happy to step forward and offer free public access to the 
Internet - thanks to the Council and our visionary City Manager, our 
future is very bright."

“Digital Rio Dell is creating next-generation community network 
infrastructure to support essential services and digital media access 
for all,” said Sean McLaughlin, executive director of Access Humboldt. 
“Thanks to the City of Rio Dell and our private partners, especially 
Carlson Wireless and Security National Servicing Corp. Thanks also to 
Suddenlink Communications for providing Access Humboldt with channels 
and dedicated network connections.”

“A redundant Internet connection is very important,” said City Manager 
Nancy Flemming. "Broadband access to the Internet is essential 
infrastructure for the future of Rio Dell, as much as it is for the 
entire North Coast. Our City is delighted to have partners who share our 
commitment to build public service networks that give our residents 
access to digital communications."

Access Humboldt is working with local digital media companies to build 
municipal network infrastructure, including Carlson Wireless 
Technologies, 101 Netlink, and C4i Security all based in Humboldt County.

Carlson Wireless CEO Jim Carlson said, “The Digital Rio Dell Project 
creates an excellent platform for developing next-generation Internet 
applications to improve public health, safety and education. We support 
this local effort and look forward to bringing future innovations, 
including WiMAX and digital media applications.”

Said Rob Arkley, owner of Security National Servicing Corp. and a Board 
member of Access Humboldt, “Security National is proud to sponsor 
Digital Rio Dell. We’re proving the potential of public-private 
partnerships to build next-generation digital media for local communities.”

Access Humboldt is a non-profit community service organization created 
last year to manage cable franchise benefits for the County of Humboldt 
and the Cities of Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna, Rio Dell, Blue Lake and 
Ferndale. Community access resources provided by Suddenlink include 
cable TV channels, local network connections, and a new community media 
center being constructed at Eureka High School. Access Humboldt's 
mission is "Local Voices Through Community Media – Engage – Connect – 
Educate." http://accesshumboldt.net

Carlson Wireless Technologies Inc. is based in Arcata. Carlson creates 
innovative broadband access and backhaul products to deliver Internet 
access, telephone and public safety/security solutions worldwide. CWT is 
committed to “Bridging the Digital Divide.” http://www.carlsonwireless.com/

Security National Servicing Corp., based in Eureka, is a privately held 
company specializing in loan acquisitions and real estate development. A 
multibillion dollar enterprise, it remains a "family" business and 
prides itself on the quality of its people and their professionalism, 
integrity and commitment to service.

Local Humboldt County vendors include: 101Netlink providing broadband 
services to Northwestern California - Highway 101 and surrounding areas, 
and C4i Security LLC, a systems integrator specializing in information 
technology, network, and video security infrastructure solutions.


For information about Digital Rio Dell, contact:
Executive Director Sean McLaughlin, Access Humboldt, c: 707-616-2381
City Manager Nancy Flemming, City of Rio Dell, t: 707-764-3532
Mayor Bud Leonard, City of Rio Dell, t: 707-764-3532
CEO Jim Carlson, Carlson Wireless, t: 707-822-7000
_____________________________________________________________

Sean McLaughlin
Executive Director
Access Humboldt
P.O. Box 157, Eureka, CA 95502
tel: 707-476-1798
fax: 707-445-1956
cel: 707-616-2381
e: seanm at accesshumboldt.net
web:  accesshumboldt.net



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