Topic: Bringing broadband access to Ottawa.



What happened:

The city of Ottawa is exploring the possibility of partnering with the Northern Illinois University Regional Development Institute to bring enhanced broadband access to the area. The move, in part, was prompted by the new Illinois Valley Community College Ottawa Center. The satellite center, which will be located in a former commercial building at 321 W. Main St., is planned to open with area students starting classes next August.

Broadband is a communications network in which the bandwidth can be divided and shared by multiple simultaneous signals, such as for voice or data or video.

The city is seeking funding through the federal stimulus program, which has provided more than $7 billion on a nationwide basis to bring broadband access to underserved and unserved areas. Ottawa Economic Development Director Reed Wilson has previously said Ottawa and other larger cities in the Illinois Valley are considered to be underserved, while at least four areas throughout La Salle County are listed as unserved.

However, he's not confident the city will receive the funds.

"Our expectations for the first round aren't too high," he said.

However, the second round he believes the city will be better equipped to contend for the funds. DeKalb County also is applying this round and spent 18 months preparing an application.

"We got started pretty late," he said of La Salle County's application.

If DeKalb County is approved, La Salle County will have a strong example to model its application after, he said.

Also a consideration for funding, NIU will identify possible partners along the path to DeKalb who are willing to share the cost of the network.



Why does it matter:

This project would provide broadband access to schools, emergency services, health care facilities, library, government facilities and the private sector and it includes the cities of Ottawa, Oglesby, specifically Illinois Valley Community College, and La Salle.

The amount of money it would save these facilities to be on broadband will be explored in the study, Wilson said.

Enhanced broadband access also in enticing to potential businesses exploring the possibility of coming to Ottawa.

"That's one of the driving needs," Wilson said. "High tech companies, such as the International Titanium Powder plant expect to have access to enhanced broadband."

The local plant, scheduled to be complete in 2010, will utilize the newly-patented Armstrong Process technology to lower the production costs of powders suitable for non-melt direct consolidation of titanium.



What's next:

On Tuesday, the City Council placed on file for public inspection a contract with NIU for starting a feasibility study to construct a Broadband Internet network for the Ottawa area. Final approval for the study, which costs $2,500 to conduct, is to be approved in two weeks, Wilson said. The feasibility study will take three months. The best route will be explored — wireless connectivity or fiber optic connectivity.

Fiber optics technology is used by many telecommunications companies to transmit telephone, Internet, and cable television signals. Modern fiber-optic communication systems generally include an optical transmitter to convert an electrical signal into an optical signal to send into the optical fiber.

Wireless offers high-speed Internet access on a laptop, throughout your home, office, or anywhere you travel.

The second phase includes putting together a proposal request from vendors.

"We will find out how much we could accomplish at what cost," Wilson said.

NIU estimated the cost for this project at $13,500, since that was the cost of a similar project in Carpentersville.

Although it will be for schools, emergency services, health care facilities, library and government facilities initially, Wilson said there is potential to offer it to the private sector down the road as well.



If you care:

Questions can be directed to Wilson at 815-433-0161, ext. 21.