Overview

The Township of Waterford, MI encompasses 35 square miles, 11% of which consists of water. The township was in need of a robust network to manage their treatment plants and connect multiple departments, including their water, police and fire departments, each using different applications. Waterford Township had been historically using leased wire-line solutions. The terrain and distance between each sector made it not cost effective to maintain or expand on their wired solutions.

Solution

In choosing a wireless solution, the equipment needed to be high capacity, reliable, and operate in harsh conditions and over long distances, in both line of sight and non-line of sight settings. Utilizing high capacity broadband wireless solutions provided by Proxim Wireless, a market leader in wireless network technologies, the township has successfully implemented a broadband wireless system to provide its departments with high-speed wireless connectivity, including links to remote water and sewer facilities.

Results

With the wireless system in place, Waterford Township has since terminated recurring monthly payments for leased lines. They utilize the Proxim enabled wireless system for multiple applications, including providing wireless internet connectivity to fire and police departments and running wireless VoIP applications. Waterford Township has been so successful they’ve even extended their support to provide internet access to a neighbouring community – White Lake Township. Considerations are being made for future network expansion to further bridge neighboring cities.

Why Proxim

Proxim has been able to deliver its high value solutions and services in conjunction with one of its trusted partners. Wireless Resources, a leading provider of advanced wireless solutions, was chosen to provide design, consulting and integration services. "We chose Proxim not only for their high quality products, but also because of our long-standing relationships and their focused attention to service and support. We have great confidence that we chose the best products for our wireless network deployments." – Mike Carr, Wireless Resources.

“We chose Proxim not only for their high quality products, but also because of our long-standing relationships and their focused attention to service and support. We have great confidence that we chose the best products for our wireless network deployments.”

– Mike Carr, Wireless Resources.

Unique Challenges:

• Adverse terrain with 35 square miles coverage in non line of sight conditions
• Multiple applications support for different government agencies: Leased line replacement for water treatment and feeder plants, connectivity to 5 fire stations, VoIP service for different agencies
• Requirement for a cost–effective solution that was low on capital and recurring expenditure

Solutions Deployed:

• Proxim Tsunami Multipoint solutions – High capacity, easy-to-install with backhaul by licensed and unlicensed PTP links
• Scalable high capacity Point to Point and Point to Multipoint with QoS to prioritize different applications

Results Achieved:

• Proxim provided high uptime and high band-with (up to 18 Mbps) links between the buildings and connectivity to remote offices
• Proxim’s wireless solutions cost-effectively delivered connectivity with expansion plans to adjoining communities & other public agencies