Feature. Broadband for all. Welcome to Pau Broadband Country! Date: 18. December 2003 Version 1.0 FEA BROADBAND-1013-EN

Transcription

1 Broadband for all Welcome to Pau Broadband Country! Date: 18. December 2003 Version 1.0 FEA BROADBAND-1013-EN

2 In 2003, Toshiba joined with other industry leaders to plan and deploy the largest project of its kind in the world: a city-wide technology "makeover". For Pau, France, located near the border to Spain along the Pyrennes, the project is enabling this charming, old-world city to respond to the challenges of the new-world economy, where society is increasingly influenced by technological change. Affordable broadband connectivity is the first step toward the many changes that the city will undergo in the coming years. Virtually every aspect of the city will be transformed, including: the city infrastructure, urban development, tourism, education, healthcare, transportation, business, public sector and the ordinary household. In this article, we outline how Pau is rising to the challenges of the new economy. In particular, we look at how affordable broadband and wireless services are already transforming the city. Pau: rises to the challenge of technology Early in 2003, Toshiba joined with industry leaders (including Sagem, IBM Global Service, Intel, Microsoft, Cisco, Citroen, EDF and IPV7) in the areas of wireless and mobile networking, computing, automotive and other sectors to form a steering committee to plan and deploy the projects and initiatives required to transform Pau into a technology-enabled city. This ambitious project consists of three main initiatives, including: Pau Broadband Country: Currently underway, this initiative provides affordable broadband access (10/100 Mbits) city-wide, enabling a range of services to households as well as the private and public sector. Paulywood: a new city development - the city of the third millennium, where ecology and technology converge to offer a better quality of life NanoPau: a nanotechnology complex; this project is still in the planning stages Overall, the city of Pau anticipates that these three initiatives will enhance the lives of its citizens, foster community life, create jobs and enable the city to play a strong role in the global economy, one driven increasingly by technological innovation. Toshiba has an important role to play in all of these developments. From a practical perspective, as a manufacturer of mobile and wireless hardware (notebooks, Pocket PCs, servers, a wireless broadband gateway and other products), the company can offer any number of innovative solutions. As a company actively involved in research and development in a number of key technology areas, Toshiba can contribute to the conceptual and strategic planning of the project from a number of perspectives. Feature : «Broadband for all» Page 2 / 5 FEA BROADBAND-1013-EN

3 "Broadband for all" According to William Biotteau, Business Development Manager for Toshiba and a representative for Toshiba on the steering committee, the committee members agreed that the introduction of a broadband infrastructure to Pau was the first step. "Around the world today, the availability of affordable broadband services is seen as a pre-requisite to enabling individuals and businesses as well as the public sector to take advantage of the Internet economy," says William Biotteau. From a practical perspective, affordable broadband access is necessary in order to implement wireless network services and other projects planned for Pau. Biotteau explained that Toshiba's role for the Pau Broadband Country project is to create and deliver new solutions and service offerings that will allow businesses and public sector institutions to easily implement solutions. In addition, Toshiba will offer consumer network solutions so that home users can take full advantage of Broadband for entertainment, Internet, telephony, gaming, video conferencing and other services. All in all, it is anticipated that broadband connections (ports) are due to be deployed by 2006, including deployments for enterprises, the general public and public organisations. For instance, there are plans to implement hotspot access in hotels and a new city development called Paulywood, a city that plans to marry IP (Internet Protocol) services with ecologically-friendly energy sources and urban planning. For example, among the various functions of this new city project, IP monitors will be used to measure the amount of power consumed per household. Broadband access in every household would be the starting point for such an initiative. Broadband and wireless services to-date According to Biotteau, this first aim of "Broadband for all" has already been accomplished as businesses and households can take advantage of Mbps access to the Internet at a competitive price. For a cost of 30 Euros, users get 10 Mbps access rates, as compared to the conventional offering of 512 kbps at 30 Euro. This means that users in Pau enjoy access rates that are 20 times faster for the same price that would be paid elsewhere in France. Affordable high-speed connectivity is the foundation for a number of innovative solutions and hardware packages have been developed for consumers, business users and schools. For consumers With this broadband access package, users are able to call for free within the city limits receive 10 channels of TV, including video-on-demand services Feature : «Broadband for all» Page 3 / 5 FEA BROADBAND-1013-EN

4 access music clips for free access the Internet/ One special offer to customers allows users to create custom music CDs. For a fee, they can either download and create the CD or have the custom CD compiled and delivered through the mail. Wireless for all (consumers) Broadband access is also the starting point for creating a wireless network. Consumers can opt for one of two wireless networking packages Toshiba offers: The entry-level package features the Satellite A30 series notebook, warranty extension and Wireless Routing Centre (WRC) The mid-level package features a Toshiba Satellite M30, warranty extension and the Toshiba WRC1000. For businesses This broadband access package enables the business to call for free within the city limits access the Internet/ at Mbps have 10 IP addresses take advantage of special services, such as online backups or video conferencing Wireless for all (businesses) In the same philosophy as the home solution, Toshiba will provide selected Wi-Fi-enabled notebooks and its Magnia Z series or SG appliances for small and medium enterprises. In addition, the new Toshiba France Wireless Network solution, allowing any company to have its secure WLAN built quickly and easily, will be offered. For schools Schools can easily implement a mobile or wireless classroom based on this broadband offer. Complete installation of the Toshiba wireless server Magnia Z310, eclass 2Go solution, notebooks and video projector is provided. According to Biotteau, a pilot project is currently deployed in a major high school (Lycée Barthou) in Pau. Feature : «Broadband for all» Page 4 / 5 FEA BROADBAND-1013-EN

5 For hotels... Implementing Internet access and hotspot services are services that many customers enjoy. Increasingly, for business customers in particular, these are services that customers have come to expect. Toshiba plans to offer a kit that will make it easy to implement hotspots. For tourism Toshiba's Wi-Fi-enabled Pocket PC with GPS (Global Positioning Services) will be the platform used for a new guide to the city. Planned for availability in June 2004, "Pau en poche" or "Pau in your pocket" will include a guide to tourist attractions, entertainment, restaurants, leisure activities and other information. Other initiatives in Pau... Other initiatives are also underway, including a Public Centres Channel, a network of public spaces dedicated to solutions, services, advice and training. As well, a PBC Hotel for enterprises and research and development training is also under construction. Where next? Let broadband open the door "Whether it means offering new services to customers, gaining access to information more readily, building the technical competence necessary to compete in today's technologically-drive economy, implementing the latest wireless services or planning for the future, affordable broadband access is key," concludes Biotteau. "Beginning with the motto 'Broadband for all', we can expect to see many exciting developments in 2004 and beyond, particularly in the areas of mobile and wireless business solutions, video-on-demand and home networking solutions." For more information about Pau: City of Pau homepage Pau broadband country Initiative (French) Pau multimedia Feature : «Broadband for all» Page 5 / 5 FEA BROADBAND-1013-EN