Columbus, OH - Transforming Local Government Into an Agent of Change

A sure bet for recouping you broadband investment? Follow Columbus, Ohio’s game plan of marrying wired and wireless broadband so your local government’s Internet of Things and their Internet of People to form a truly smart city.

Columbus uses broadband and information technology to innovate, collaborate, attract investment, improve government services delivery and raise the quality of life for its citizens, winning it the 2015 Intelligent Community of the Year award. The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) gives this award to highlight communities’ best practices for adapting to the demands of the broadband economy.

Gary Cavin, City of Columbus, decribe some of the projects that contributed to his city’s winning its prestigious honor. Researchers at Ohio State University won a two-year $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create a safe and resilient network architecture dubbed the “Science DMZ.”

New gigabit networking and application support tools are being developed that will foster broadband adoption. High-definition video supporting public safety, law enforcement and first responders. The city’s Comprehensive Traffic Signaling System (CTSS) program is building a backbone of fiber optic cable and wireless communications technologies.

Cavin informs listeners how other cities can use the power of the gigabit to transform government services and create new applications. Several of Columbus’ best practices will be included in the new version Craig Settles’ book, Building the Gigabit City.