NORWICH – Downtown Norwich officially entered the cyber age Thursday with the announcement of new, wireless technology available from Frontier, a part of the Citizens Communications Company.
The communications provider has made wireless broadband access to the Internet possible in the areas from Cortland and Mitchell streets south to York Street and from Locust Street east to Midland Drive, including the Chenango Memorial Hospital grounds. Residents and visitors in the coverage area can access the service at home, in the office and on the go.
The news was revealed at a press conference held yesterday at the Norwich Fire Station before an audience of city and state officials and members of the business community.
Mayor Joseph Maiurano said the development was an example of the city working with a local business in order to help keep Norwich competitive. “We are very excited to see the positive outcome. I want to personally thank Frontier for investing in Norwich,” he said.
Norwich native Clarence D. Rappelyea, longtime Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly and former chairman of the New York Power Authority, was on hand to congratulate the city and Frontier.
“A lot of people are ready to write the epitaph for upstate New York,” he said, “but it’s things like this that will keep that from ever happening ... I’m always being a pitchman for Chenango County, but we have something that a lot of people are going to want to get.”
Frontier’s data networks in Norwich, Johnstown and Gloversville are the first in New York State to be wireless.
More than a year in the making, the project was funded in part via a $200,000 Empire State Development Group grant. It involved placing 27 nodes on telephone poles downtown with antennas that connect to Frontier’s Norwich office on East Park Place. With about 1 megawatt of speed, users will be able to access the Internet in less than 30 seconds.
“Norwich is a thriving community, yet it still has that small town, neighborly environment where everyone meets downtown to shop and chat over a cup of coffee,” said Jim Currie, vice president of field operations for Frontier. “Our customers want that lifestyle with the latest in communications technology, and we can provide it.”
Maggie Wilderotter, chairman and chief executive officer of Citizens Communications Company, said Mayor Maiurano’s “persistence” was “a driving force” in the project. “We are proud to say we are offering this service in Norwich,” she said.
The Mayor said the region’s politicians, in particular U.S. Congressman Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, had been instrumental in the endeavor.
Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch, R-Binghamton, said both businesses and lives had been saved by expanding wireless technology. He thanked Frontier “for stepping up and being part of the wave of the future.”
NBT Bank Vice President and Regional Manager Tom Sutton said the wireless capability enhances already-established online banking services and will enable vendors and customers to connect with their own websites and resources.
Farm Bureau President Bradd Vickers said the move was important to the agriculture industry and “a first step” toward expanding broadband communications throughout rural New York state.
Citywide passes, available at www.fontiermobile.com, will allow users - whether visitor or residents, to enjoy one-stop wireless access within the network area in one, two or seven-day increments. Users can also add unlimited monthly access to their existing Frontier phone bills. These passes and their prices are available on line or at a Frontier Retail Center.
Frontier is part of Citizens Communications Company, a full-service communications provider and one of the largest local exchange telephone companies in the country. Frontier offers telephone, television and Internet services, as well as bundled offerings, streaming video, security solutions and specialized bundles for small businesses and home offices in 24 states.