The state of Rhode Island is looking to build a statewide Wi-Fi network, making it the first state to plan to offer border-to-border wireless Internet access, CNN reports. Supporters of the initiative say statewide Wi-Fi would help to improve Rhode Island’s public services and serve as an example for other areas or entities looking to construct wireless networks in the future, according to CNN.The state plans to have the Rhode Island Wireless Innovation Networks (RI-WINs) constructed by the end of the year, blanketing its 1,045 square miles with wireless Internet access, CNN reports.State agencies, local businesses and Brown University are all involved in the project, according to CNN. The proposed network would be a hybrid of WiMax and Wi-Fi technologies that would grant users real-time connections at a speed of not less than 1 megabit per second, CNN reports. One hundred and twenty base antennas situated throughout the state will support the network, according to CNN.Bob Panoff, RI-WINs project manager, told CNN that no other state has constructed such a Wi-Fi network. Funding for the initiative will come from both public and private sources, and once the network is functional, users would pay a fee of $20 a month, or a separate membership fee determined by annual usage, Saul Kaplan, acting executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, told CNN.The network is not meant for consumer usage, but it could eventually be used for such everyday services as traffic monitoring, according to CNN.During the initial six-month pilot phase, the system will be tested by health inspectors who will remotely enter data after restaurant examinations, as well as emergency medical technicians who will enter health information via computers in ambulances.“A broadband border-to-border network would allow us to move information to the point of need, wherever it’s needed,” Kaplan told CNN.For related news coverage, read Vonage Boosts Wi-Fi Telephony Service in U.K. and San Fran Wi-Fi Plan May Face Political Heat. Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content brandpost A guide to hybrid cloud deployment for innovation without disruption How do organizations balance their on-premises preferences and requisites with the crucial need to innovate? By Ahmed Helmy, Global Vice President, Avaya Experience Platform Product Management Jun 07, 2023 3 mins Hybrid Cloud brandpost Bringing AI to your organization? Better bring the right database Why Apache Cassandra offers the scalability, reliability, and speed required for building artificial intelligence applications. By Patrick McFadin Jun 07, 2023 7 mins Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence feature 7 ways to spot hidden IT talent within your ranks Your organization has hidden IT superstars in the making — both within and outside IT. Here’s how to find and elevate them for maximum impact. By John Edwards Jun 07, 2023 8 mins Staff Management feature The NBA’s digital transformation is a game-changer The National Basketball Association’s move to Azure cloud is helping improve fan experience and in-game performance due to analytics- and AI-assisted tools aimed at unlocking data’s full potential. By Paula Rooney Jun 07, 2023 9 mins Microsoft Azure Media and Entertainment Industry Digital Transformation Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe