For Immediate Release
Wireless Internet Institute Announces Second Annual Wireless Communities Best Practices Awards Finalists
Five categories honor local governments and organizations as best-practice exemplars of broadband-wireless applications and services
Boston, Mass. (November 6, 2006) To pay tribute to local governments implementing broadband-wireless applications and services for cities and communities, the Wireless Internet Institute announces ten finalists for the second annual Wireless Communities Best Practices Awards. Winners will be announced at a special ceremony at the W2i Digital Cities Convention in Philadelphia, Sheraton City Center, Dec. 56, 2006.
Broadband-wireless connectivity in countries around the world is fostering social and economic development for underserved communities and enabling better city and regional management. Five best-practices awards for Technology Innovation, Community Momentum Building, Digital Inclusion, E-Government Applications, and Neighborhood Portals honor the exemplary efforts of local governments and affiliated organizations around the world who are realizing the promise of broadband-wireless solutions for their communities.
The 2006 Awards Jury met at the offices of CIFAL Atlanta, at the Georgia Institute of Technology, on November 3rd. On behalf of the Jury, W2i is pleased to present the Jury’s selection:
- City of Granbury, Texas, USA
- Itelazpi S.A., Basque Government, Spain
- Kista Science City, Stockholm, Sweden
- Town of Knysna, South Africa
- National e-Mexico System, Mexico
- OneCommunity, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Paris Local Transport Authority (RATP), France
- Rhode Island Wireless Innovation Networks (RI-WINs), USA
- Taipei City, Taiwan
- PhilaVoice Portal, Philadelphia, USA
“As we recognize the very best projects in broadband deployment for 2006, it is clear that the rules of the game are changing,” said Costis Toregas, Jury Chairman. “No longer are we seeking to reward partnerships of government and industry which result simply in the deployment of a state-of-the-art communications network. This year, we looked for projects that have produced extraordinary results in improving government services, in engaging the community and in strengthening the commercial sector. And we found strong, exemplary projects that can act as a beacon for the many initiatives that are coming behind them.”
Award winners will be honored at a special ceremony at the W2i Digital Cities Convention in Philadelphia on the evening of December 6, 2006. Local-government IT professionals, industry thought leaders, equipment and service providers and systems integrators will participate at the interactive two-day program to explore the full range of opportunities and roadblocks associated with the planning and deployment of these networks. For full program details and to attend the convention and Awards ceremony, please visit: http://w2idigitalcitiesconvention.com/12062006/
About the Wireless Internet Institute (W2i) and the W2i Digital Cities Convention
The Wireless Internet Institute (W2i) is an independent forum bringing together stakeholders around the world to accelerate the adoption of wireless Internet in support of economic and social development and better city and regional management. Held annually in three to four regions of the world, the W2i Digital Cities Convention includes a thought-leadership conference exploring the issues surrounding the deployment of broadband-wireless infrastructure for cities and communities; practical training for local-government professionals; roundtables for service providers and digital-inclusion stakeholders; the Wireless Communities Best-Practices Awards; and a technology showcase produced in partnership with local authorities, the private sector, and international development institutions. Building on conventions in Philadelphia, Shanghai, San Francisco, Bilbão, Houston, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, Taipei and London, planning is in it's final stages for Philadelphia in December 2006.
Contact:
Daniel Aghion
Executive Director
Wireless Internet Institute
(617) 439-5400
daghion@w2i.org
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