NEW CITY - The County of Rockland is moving ahead with its wireless initiative with a goal of connecting the entire county by providing residents, schools and businesses with cost-effective, high-speed access to the Internet.  

Following a Request for Proposal process, the county selected the consulting firm Civitium to conduct a feasibility study to determine if Rockland County should facilitate a countywide wireless broadband network. The feasibility study will explore the needs, interests, and feasibility of developing a wireless network throughout the county.  A report with findings and recommendations will be complete by May 2008.

County residents are invited to give their opinion on the proposed online service in a survey now posted on the County website, www.rocklandgov.com.  Survey results will be reviewed by the County’s WiFi Committee and posted by the end of this month.

“The advanced wireless technology will not only help government operate more efficiently, but also enhance safety and economic development in our county by giving the public Internet access anywhere in Rockland,” said Vanderhoef.  “We’d like to hear what our residents have to say about this proposal, and we encourage them to visit our website and tell us what they think.”

County officials say the countywide wireless network will offer many benefits, including improved community access to government services, low-cost online access for all residents, enhanced educational opportunities for long-distance learning and expanded public safety communication in the event of emergencies.