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CEO answers Dunedin WiFi questions

Re: Citi WiFi agreement has a foul odor about it, letter to the editor by Jack Bray, Jan. 2.

I am certain that Mr. Bray truly wants what's best for Dunedin and its residents. However, I am compelled to respond to his insinuations of impropriety. My response here is not to chastise a person for voicing his opinion, but to clarify for Mr. Bray and your readers the facts regarding this exciting new project and how Dunedin's residents and visitors will benefit from it.

It seems that the writer is misinformed about Dunedin's effort to bring a better quality of life to its residents. The details of the contract between the city and Citi WiFi Networks are available to the public as are all other public Request for Proposals contract awards.

Some specific points in response to Mr. Bray's letter are as follows:

Both the company and the city clearly understood the necessity of using Progress Energy's poles, so much so that the language stating that Progress Energy poles, specifically light poles, would be required to install the network is in the contract.

The Public Service Commission and the Federal Communications Commission were both consulted prior to Citi WiFi responding to the city RFP. All communications suggested that a joint use agreement would need to be granted. In March, Progress Energy's legal department responded that a joint use agreement would be in place in July. Although a joint use agreement was signed by Progress Energy in November, the terms are still very restrictive for the WiFi deployment process. Progress Energy, the city and Citi WiFi Networks are working to streamline the process.

Mr. Bray also claims that there is no cancellation clause in the contract. Paragraph 27 on page 6 has a Termination of Agreement clause that allows either party with 180 days' written notice to terminate.

Mr. Bray questions whether or not there was a competitive bidding process. The city's RFP process was thorough and the announcement was published in local papers and on demandstar.com. More than 60 companies downloaded the RFP and had an opportunity to respond.

The RFP called for the vendor to design, deploy, maintain and support the entire network at no cost to the city. The city will save thousands of taxpayer dollars through free Internet access for up to 100 "city use" connections - money that can now be used for other civic projects.

Dunedin's WiFi network is taking shape and is operational in select areas. Citi WiFi is providing service and will continue to deploy the network as the details of the joint use become a reality in the next few weeks.

I hope this letter eliminates any misconceptions. The city of Dunedin's staff, commissioners and mayor are to be commended for their efforts to make living, working and visiting Dunedin better for everyone.

[Last modified January 8, 2006, 00:44:19]