The Wireless Hamilton Pilot project is an initiative that involves a number of community partners that met initially to determine the need for a wireless infrastructure.  Once the need was established, the decision was made to build a WiFi infrastructure that would allow the partners to test the functionality and reliability of this type of technology. The community partners consists of representation from:

City of Hamilton Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Hamilton Health Sciences Hamilton Police Services Hamilton Port Authority

Hamilton Public Library Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board McMaster University St. Joseph’s Hospital

The WiFi infrastructure that has been built by FibreWired for the pilot will provide wireless access in the downtown area extending East to West from Victoria Street to Queen Street and North to South, Barton Street to Main Street.  The pilot will also provide five “hot spots” in the following suburban areas:

• Valley Park Community Centre
• Waterdown Memorial Park
• Dundas Driving Park
• Turner Park
• Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and Pier 4 Park.

The WiFi project is a pilot designed to provide answers to some key questions such as:

• Can a single WiFi network, shared by key stakeholders, provide each partner with sufficient security and bandwidth to meet their business needs?
• Can a single WiFi network, shared by stakeholders, be deployed at a cost that can be justified by the benefits received?
• Can the excess capacity of a single WiFi network be made available to members of the public?
• Can a single WiFi network provide the public with an easy-to-use service that also provides protection against inappropriate activity?

During the pilot, wireless service will be made available to the public, however, since this is a pilot, WiFi service is not guaranteed to be available at all times.