Current Status: Pre-Deployment Phase
Recent Activity: 20/20 Communications continues preparations for county-wide deployment. These efforts include:
Geographic Coverage: 20/20 Communications has deployed three small-scale pilots in the following communities:
City of Ann Arbor: Wireless service is currently available
in the western-downtown area, serving a mix of residential and business
clientele.
City of Saline: Wireless service is currently available off
the Saline Henry-Street water tower. The service penetrates into parts of
Saline Township to the southwest and parts of York and Pittsfield Townships
to the east.
Southwestern Washtenaw Council of Governments: Wireless
service is currently available off the Village of Manchester water tower,
penetrating into the surrounding townships of Bridgewater, Freedom,
Manchester & Sharon.
Coverage maps of the pilot network are available on 20/20 Communications website. Additional maps will be included as 20/20 Communications expands service throughout Washtenaw County.
Pricing & Services: All residents and guests of Washtenaw County will be eligible to receive a free continuous and uninterrupted connection to the Internet at 84 Kbps, which is approximately two – three times the speed of the average dial-up connection.
Premium services will be available for-fee at speeds starting at 500 Kbps. The pricing for the premium services will range from $35 - $50 for residential users. Additional services will exist for businesses and guests. A complete menu of services is available from 20/20 Communications.
The Technology: The Wireless Washtenaw network consists of two fundamentally different technologies.
2.4 GHz Network: A Wi-Fi 802.11b/g network operating at the 2.4 GHz frequency will be deployed in select urban communities. Users will be able access the network from outdoor locations, such as cafes and parks. The only equipment required to access the outdoor network is a standard 802.11b/g network card. The signal is expected to penetrate into the first floor of residential and commercial structures. However, users will likely require an indoor radio, or Customer Premise Equipment (CPE), to assure a quality service.
5.7 GHz Network: A Pre-WiMax 802.11a network operating at the 5.7 GHz frequency will be deployed in the rural and suburban communities. This technology broadcasts the Wireless Washtenaw signal over greater distances than the 2.4 GHz network, allowing 20/20 Communications to serve the entire Washtenaw County community. Users of the 5.7 GHz network will require a CPE to receive service.
Both the 2.4 GHz and 5.7 GHz network will offer a secure, encrypted connection to the Internet when a CPE is utilized. The CPE works as a bridge between a computer and a broadcasting point and has the capability of securing data transmissions.
However, there is no direct encryption for the 2.4 GHz signal when utilized in an outdoor roaming capacity. This includes anytime the network is used without a CPE, such as at a park or cafe. Users will be still able to utilize Secure Socket Layer (or SSL) technology, which is an encryption program used for web browsing, e-mail and other types of data transfer. Users who require additional security beyond SSL will be able to utilize Virtual Private Network (VPN) software.
How To Sign Up: 20/20 Communications is handling all requests for service. If you reside in the current coverage area, you can contact 20/20 Communications at (734) 973-2020, Option #3 to inquire about service.
If you are outside the current coverage area and would like notification when service is available in your community, please submit a notification request to 20/20 Communications.