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innovation as a long term investment
Solutions
Norfolk Open Link
Urban and rural wireless network for public service and public access
Brief:
Developed by Norfolk County Council and fully funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), the Norfolk Open Link pilot project was initiated to evaluate the impact mobile technology could have on encouraging economic development in Norfolk and the delivery of public sector services throughout the region.
Launched in 2006, the community wireless network project was the first of its kind in the UK to provide free wireless and internet access to the public sector, business community and general public. Coverage included a large area of Norwich city centre, and key locations to the east and west of the city.
Later that year, another 28 rural locations in the South Norfolk district were added to the Open Link network making it the first wireless network in the UK to include both rural and urban locations.
Solution:
As prime contractor Synetrix were responsible for the entire scope of the project, from design through to delivery, as well as communications and liaison with all of the prime stakeholders.
Having assimilated the immediate aims of the pilot and taking into consideration the longer term potential for the network, Synetrix proposed the adoption of wireless mesh technology as this provided the more cost-effective and resilient technology best suited for wireless roaming.
From a project management perspective, there were no previous models to position the project alongside; much of the approach was based on thoughtful deployment of the equipment within a fixed budget. Having adopted a transparent approach early in the project, Norfolk County Council and Synetrix were able to proactively find alternative solutions for anticipated issues, particularly those with cost implications.
The project also included stakeholders from across the public sector in Norfolk; therefore it was essential that Synetrix worked closely with Norfolk County Council to coordinate these partner organisations that in many ways ensured the success of the project.
As the urban project extended to the 28 rural locations in South Norfolk, Open Link would take advantage of existing wireless infrastructure to provide the same cohesive broadband network and increased access to the internet and public services as was available to those in the city centre.
More information at www.norfolkopenlink.com
