Peninsula Coalition Announces Support of "BayWEB" Broadband Network

SAN MATEO, Calif., June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Peninsula Coalition announced its support for the Bay Area Wireless Enhanced Broadband System (BayWEB), a new wireless broadband network that will help law enforcement, create jobs, and improve wireless access in underserved areas across the 10 county Bay Area.  The announcement came after Coalition members voted by resolution to support this public-private broadband program.

"We strongly support this program because it improves our emergency response capabilities and provides needed additional broadband access to important institutions in our community like schools, community colleges, hospitals and libraries," said Jon Rubin, Peninsula Coalition, President and CEO. "It will also create 1,300 jobs in our region that we desperately need."

Based in San Mateo County, The Peninsula Coalition consists of leaders in the business, labor and political communities who have joined together to advocate for worthwhile activities and initiatives on a local and countywide level.  A diverse group from all sides of the political spectrum including the local Chamber of Commerce, the Building Trades Council, the Board of Realtors, the County Service League and many others, the Coalition aims to diffuse the polarized political discourse and focus on real programs that make local communities vibrant and successful.

"Our mission is to provide focus and bring a civic discussion back to an emphasis on the public/private partnerships that are crucial to realizing our astounding potential as we move forward," Rubin continued. "This is exactly the kind of public/private program through which a civic discussion can help bring great benefits to a broad cross-section of our communities."

In its resolution of support, the Coalition identified three primary reasons for its support of the BayWEB program.  These include BayWEB's ability to:  connect public safety in San Mateo and the other counties in the Bay Area on a interoperable, 4G, LTE (Long-Term Evolution) broadband network; provide increased public broadband access for anchor institutions such as hospitals, community colleges, libraries and schools; and create more than 1,300 new jobs in the Bay Area.

In a related development, the BayRICS Authority, which will be the governing body for the BayWEB has now been approved by five local government jurisdictions, another significant milestone for the project.  Members of the BayRICS Authority are:  The City and County of San Francisco, Alameda County, Santa Clara County, Sonoma County and the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority.  

About BayWEB:

• BayWEB will provide economic benefits for the entire Bay Area. The build-out and deployment of the BayWEB network is estimated to create more than 1,300 jobs. In addition, local job creation will be boosted by the public broadband component of BayWEB.
• After 10 years, ownership of the BayWEB system will be transferred to the local Bay Area governing authority, providing local jurisdictions the opportunity to operate these proven systems and generate revenue.
• The $72.4 million project is jointly funded through a federal BTOP (Broadband Technology Opportunities Program) grant of $50.5 million and $21.9 million in private funding from Motorola Solutions. The company was awarded the federal grant following a competitive review process administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Contact: Jon Rubin, 650-873-1200

SOURCE Peninsula Coalition