WIRELESS HARTFORD WINS

QUALITY AND INNOVATION AWARD

NEWS RELEASE

(June 25, 2007)--- “Wireless Hartford” wins the gold!  Mayor Eddie A. Perez is proud to announce that the City of Hartford has won a Gold 2007 Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Partnership’s Innovation Prize.

Wireless Hartford is a public wireless high-speed Internet Access network that allows residents and visitors of the Downtown and the Blue Hills neighborhoods to access the web using personal computers.  In addition, the city has arranged for these households to purchase refurbished personal computers with wireless capability for $150 and be trained on how to utilize them.  As of this date, Wireless Hartford had logged in more than 6,000 new users and provided nearly 300 computers and training to Hartford families since it was initiated last fall.

Mayor Perez says, “It is essential that we close the digital divide and provide Hartford residents with 21^st Century access to information when it comes to jobs, health care, education, and overall communication.  I want to congratulate the City of Hartford team for putting families first!”

The pilot wireless network is currently being expanded in the Blue Hills neighborhood to increase the quality of service.  The feasibility of expanding Wireless Hartford to other neighborhoods will be determined at the end of the pilot phase.  Also, the City has hired a Hartford vendor to make home visits to improve the network signal.  Training sessions are being held at the Main Branch of the Hartford Public Library, and at the Blue Hills Branch.

The Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Partnership is celebrating its 20^th Anniversary.  The Innovation Prize is available to all organizations with a facility in the State of Connecticut.  This includes manufacturers, service companies, educational facilities, hospitals and health care institutions, as well as not-for-profit organizations.  Awards will be presented on October 19, 2007.  For more information, you can log on www.ctqualityaward.org