City of Philadelphia to Purchase Tropos Wireless Broadband Network for Improving Municipal Efficiencies

City Expects to Save $9 Million in Operating Expenses in 5 Years

SUNNYVALE, CA -- Last week, the City of Philadelphia issued a press release announcing it will purchase the existing Tropos-based wireless IP broadband mesh network installed there from Network Acquisition Company (NAC). The network was initially installed by EarthLink but was never fully deployed. The City plans to complete the deployment process and use the network for improving a wide range of municipal services and will offer free public hot zones in select locations.

“Acquiring these assets is a major step forward for the City,” said Chief Technology Officer for the City of Philadelphia, Allan Frank. “With this investment, we will have the capability to build a robust public safety and municipal network, enhancing public safety and government operations, and achieving long-term savings for the taxpayer. This is a win-win for Philadelphia.”

Funding for the network’s purchase is a combination of $1.5 million from homeland security grants and $500 thousand from the city’s public safety funds. The City expects to save an impressive $9 million in operating expenses over a 5-year period.

Mobile city workers across a variety of departments will be using the network. The high-speed network access will allow them to file reports and access information from the field, improving their efficiencies and lowering data communication service costs. The Department of Public Safety plans to use the network for centralized, real-time monitoring of video cameras enabling officers to respond faster to problems. Officers will also use the network to access crime databases and submit reports from the field so they can spend more time in the community rather than behind a desk, improving community safety.

“We are pleased the City of Philadelphia has selected to purchase the Tropos broadband mesh network installed in the City for improving municipal services while achieving substantial operational efficiencies,” said Tom Ayers, president and CEO of Tropos Networks. “Hundreds of other municipalities who are Tropos customers have also realized the powerful combination of using wireless mesh networks to deliver high-value applications while improving city efficiencies. We look forward to working closely to support the City to help them complete and optimize the network.”

About Tropos Networks, Inc.
Tropos® Networks is the worldwide market leader in wireless IP broadband mesh networks. Its solutions create greener, safer, smarter foundations for deployment of high-value applications that increase efficiencies and reduce operational costs within communities. Greener – automated utility meter reading and intelligent transportation systems. Safer – mobile public safety communications and IP video surveillance. Smarter – enabling mobile workers to access information from the field. The Tropos System Architecture delivers the highest levels of reliability, scalability, and security in the industry with more than 750 customers in over 30 countries. Founded in 2000, Tropos Networks is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. For more information, please visit www.tropos.com, call 408-331-6800 or write to info@tropos.com.