Motorola to deploy BT’s wireless cities in UK

Motorola, Inc. has been selected by BT to supply Mesh Wi-Fi network infrastructure and services for six of BT’s Wireless City initiatives across the UK.  The contract will see Motorola design, deploy and manage city-wide Wi-Fi networks with BT in, for example, Birmingham and Newcastle.

The Mesh Wi-Fi networks will deliver wireless broadband for use by public services, businesses and citizens in each of the cities.  The networks are designed to enable different user experiences including extension of BT Openzone hotspots to enable wireless web access and email; contiguous Wi-Fi coverage to enable real time applications using for example, BT Fusion dual mode devices; virtual private network (VPN) services for enterprise customers and to e-enable local authority workforces; wireless closed circuit television (CCTV) to aid community safety and security.

Dave Hughes, Director, BT Wireless Broadband said, “We are working with Motorola to deliver six of the planned 12 Wireless Cities across the UK.  Our networks will ensure customers are connected at all times and will also provide access to valuable applications and services, such as knowing where to park, access to tourist information and public services.

“The Wireless City initiatives offer wide area wireless broadband access across metropolitan areas, enabling people to use the network on a range of devices for entertainment, education and communication, such as email, video and voice calls, even when they’re on the move,” continued Hughes.

Motorola will supply solutions from its MOTOwi4 wireless broadband portfolio, which will be deployed across the cities on existing sites such as lampposts. The Motorola solution allows data to be backhauled wirelessly helping to save the cost, time and disruption involved with building a fixed network.  The networks will also be secure and robust as they will be Mesh-enabled, which allows the network to “self heal” should individual access points fail by rerouting traffic.

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecoms services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale. In the year ended 31 March 2006, BT Group plc’s revenue was GBP 19,514 mln with profit before taxation of GBP 2,040 mln.