Part 3
As you can see from Parts 1 and 2 of my most current blogs dealing with the technical architecture of an Intelligent Community, I didn't get into the size of the pipe or the minimum spectrum needed in developing your wireless systems or discussion around the routers, digital boxes, RFID or WiMax opportunities and other systems. If you want that kind of information, we can invite our partners to showcase their technology and their systems architecture. It would make for some interesting examination and scrutiny. However, I want to personally make it clear that from my perspective, that is not what makes an intelligent community. The extent of your fixed broadband or wireless points of presence do not make you an intelligent community. Now tell me how you use it, the extent of penetration and use in households and in the community for social, cultural and economic good - that begins to get my interest.
Let me offer an example. Taipei has 5000 POPs (points of presence) and is considered the world's largest WiFi community. They are now exploring WiMax in order to stay ahead of the curve. They have extensive broadband penetration to the home and in the office and factory floor. But that alone would not get them a mention at any ICF awards program. But they also have an extensive innovative smartcard system that works as equivalent to cash transactions and can be used on the Transit systems and at the same time can alert mothers on their cellphones when their children have arrived at school carrying their smartcards. Taipei also extensively trains its citizens in the use of all the platforms and applications available to them over the Internet. There is an extensive system of public access points for these applications and platforms throughout the city and region in public libraries, public offices, retail areas and even in 7-11 stores that seem to exist on every street corner throughout Taiwan. No need for your own laptop or home PC. And no need to travel downtown to City Hall. Government services, forms and transactions are easily handled online at any a 7-11 convenience shop or at home. Libraries are automated, even unmanned, using broadband technologies for security and processing; the advanced Microsoft School of the Future uses research-intensive broadband to educate its primary grade students; and Taipei's cultural centers are all connected and proactively engage its local citizens to participate in the cultural aspects of the country. Their push to be an intelligent community has been infectious to the point that their neighboring county, Taoyuan has recently joined the ICF family as a Smart21 Intelligent Community. Taipei's activities are also catching on across the entire nation of Taiwan, aiming to be an Intelligent Island. These are the actions of leading intelligent communities. This is not an isolated experience. I can cite you 80 examples from around the globe that have similar, although unique stories to tell.
ICF uses 5 key indicators of Intelligent Communities:
* Broadband Infrastructure
* Knowledge workers
* Innovation
* Digital Inclusion
* Marketing
Beyond these, consider such virtues as leadership, collaboration, sustainability, governance, culture, and advocacy. And each town, city or region, the opportunities for use and benefits are going to be unique and will need to be looked at differently.
ICF has a new book that has just been released, called Broadband Economies. Check it out on our website. It speaks about many of the examples from around the world that meet these criteria. ICF currently has 80 towns, cities, regions (and even Provinces and nations) that are part of the Intelligent Community alumni. We look forward to attracting many more each year. But don't expect to get on the list if all that you have to talk about is some fiber-optics in the ground or a WiFi service in your local coffee shops.
More information on the Intelligent Community Forum can be found at www.intelligentcommunity.org.
As you can see from Parts 1 and 2 of my most current blogs dealing with the technical architecture of an Intelligent Community, I didn't get into the size of the pipe or the minimum spectrum needed in developing your wireless systems or discussion around the routers, digital boxes, RFID or WiMax opportunities and other systems. If you want that kind of information, we can invite our partners to showcase their technology and their systems architecture. It would make for some interesting examination and scrutiny. However, I want to personally make it clear that from my perspective, that is not what makes an intelligent community. The extent of your fixed broadband or wireless points of presence do not make you an intelligent community. Now tell me how you use it, the extent of penetration and use in households and in the community for social, cultural and economic good - that begins to get my interest.
Let me offer an example. Taipei has 5000 POPs (points of presence) and is considered the world's largest WiFi community. They are now exploring WiMax in order to stay ahead of the curve. They have extensive broadband penetration to the home and in the office and factory floor. But that alone would not get them a mention at any ICF awards program. But they also have an extensive innovative smartcard system that works as equivalent to cash transactions and can be used on the Transit systems and at the same time can alert mothers on their cellphones when their children have arrived at school carrying their smartcards. Taipei also extensively trains its citizens in the use of all the platforms and applications available to them over the Internet. There is an extensive system of public access points for these applications and platforms throughout the city and region in public libraries, public offices, retail areas and even in 7-11 stores that seem to exist on every street corner throughout Taiwan. No need for your own laptop or home PC. And no need to travel downtown to City Hall. Government services, forms and transactions are easily handled online at any a 7-11 convenience shop or at home. Libraries are automated, even unmanned, using broadband technologies for security and processing; the advanced Microsoft School of the Future uses research-intensive broadband to educate its primary grade students; and Taipei's cultural centers are all connected and proactively engage its local citizens to participate in the cultural aspects of the country. Their push to be an intelligent community has been infectious to the point that their neighboring county, Taoyuan has recently joined the ICF family as a Smart21 Intelligent Community. Taipei's activities are also catching on across the entire nation of Taiwan, aiming to be an Intelligent Island. These are the actions of leading intelligent communities. This is not an isolated experience. I can cite you 80 examples from around the globe that have similar, although unique stories to tell.
ICF uses 5 key indicators of Intelligent Communities:
* Broadband Infrastructure
* Knowledge workers
* Innovation
* Digital Inclusion
* Marketing
Beyond these, consider such virtues as leadership, collaboration, sustainability, governance, culture, and advocacy. And each town, city or region, the opportunities for use and benefits are going to be unique and will need to be looked at differently.
ICF has a new book that has just been released, called Broadband Economies. Check it out on our website. It speaks about many of the examples from around the world that meet these criteria. ICF currently has 80 towns, cities, regions (and even Provinces and nations) that are part of the Intelligent Community alumni. We look forward to attracting many more each year. But don't expect to get on the list if all that you have to talk about is some fiber-optics in the ground or a WiFi service in your local coffee shops.
More information on the Intelligent Community Forum can be found at www.intelligentcommunity.org.
